The Sullivan family has had a unique musical journey. Since 2020 Kevin Sullivan’s three youngest children have joined him on stage to delight audiences across the country. Becoming a full-time musician has been a complete career change for Kevin, a former Police Forensic Crime Scene Investigator. Wife Belinda is a former detective and now the group’s business manager. The family has a love for music and performing on the road trips they embark on all over Australia.

Kevin and Belinda Sullivan have five children. The two elder daughters, from Kevin’s first marriage, are 31 and 32 and live in Sydney. The three younger children are son KJ who is 14, daughter Cha Cha who is 12, and son Jet who is 8. The kids initially started singing with Dad at their local church in Gerringong and made their stage debut at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2020. So, the natural progression to performing on tour as the singing group ‘The Sulli-Vans’ was no surprise to anyone.  

Kevin describes his music as having a foundation in country but has a wide range of musical influences. He draws inspiration from the greats in his music, such as Paul Kelly, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen and yet his style and sound are all his own. He has played for the last 18 years in the outback, bringing music and entertainment to remote places.  

After leaving her detective role, Belinda pursued a career in the corporate world and has an MBA under her belt. She spent some time looking after Kevin when he needed it, as he had been “in a bad way” with PTSD at one stage. Kevin says, “It never really goes away, but you learn to live with it and manage the condition.”  At one stage Belinda also fell ill, and then it was Kevin’s turn to return the favour and care for his wife, becoming super-dad taking care of the kids as well. 

The three-and-a-half ton van that enables the family to travel for extended periods to remote places around Australia, originated from a cold call to Sunland Off Road Caravans in Queensland. Kevin successfully negotiated a partnership deal with the company that gave them exposure and him a reliable and comfortable vehicle. The family vehicle is aptly named the ‘Sulli-Van’, and after two years Sunland have given the van to them. Kevin is also continuing in his ambassador role for Sunland until at least the end of 2024.

In 2019-2020 the family took a road trip which included Cape York Peninsula and the children have become part of Kevin’s singing group. Belinda is now the business manager of the group and takes care of the marketing and promotions as well as bookings. She freely admits that she is not a singer. 

Kevin Sullivan loves his non-conventional lifestyle performing with his family all over the country and jokingly says he’s part of the SKI generation, “Spending the Kids Inheritance”. All jokes aside, the family makes a living from their gigging and the kids love performing too. They even get paid! Each one had to ‘negotiate’ with their parents for their gig money, which is a great lesson in real-world life skills. 

Kevin’s motivation is to fulfill his creative desire and engage with the crowd. He’s a storyteller at heart and singing and songwriting is his juice. He says, “It’s never too late to chase your dream.”

The remote towns that the Sulli-Vans visit all react very well to their family show. Many of the places that they’ve played had no music or performances for 12-18 months, especially since Covid made live performances difficult if not impossible. 

The Sullivan children love performing and singing in general. They love being together as a family, plus bringing joy to people, and find this effortless. On the downside, the travelling can mean that they miss seeing friends and family, however this is more than compensated by the unique and experiential education they receive in their unconventional, nomadic lifestyle.

Kevin had started his singing when he was single and still in the Police Force and played gigs all over the place, mainly flying in and out. It was hectic and busy. Kevin loves to connect with the communities that he visits, and this gives him so much joy, not to mention allows him to keep a balance in his life. “It’s so much better to travel around with my family”, than the lifestyle he had when he was single.

Despite the Covid pandemic, Kevin took his family on the road, and they performed over 200 shows, travelling over 120,000 kilometres in his 20/21/22 Australian Sulli-Vans tour. This included the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival in 2022 at Corryong Victoria in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. Held every April, the Festival is a unique bush gathering of mountain riders, poets, and artists. Here they performed to an audience of over 3,500 people. 

The young performers have honed impressive skills and maintain a highly professional approach. Kevin's guiding principle is simple yet effective: 'Memorise your lyrics' and 'Perform without the crutch of digital devices or sheet music.' This dedication to memory ensures that iPads and sheet music never make an appearance on a Sulli-Vans stage.

Moreover, these young talents engage in constructive critique of other acts, fostering a deep understanding of performance quality and areas for improvement. Their approach is not judgmental, but rather observational, aiming to grasp what makes a performance exceptional and how performers can enhance their craft. This firsthand experience equips them with valuable skills, including social aptitude such as making eye contact and connecting with the audience, as well as learning the ropes of running a successful business.

Throughout this period, the children were enrolled in distance education to ensure the continuity of their formal learning. Yet, Kevin and Belinda firmly believe that their kids gained invaluable experiential knowledge along the way. They immersed themselves in remarkable experiences such as rock climbing, trips to water parks, cattle mustering, and even swimming with whale sharks.

A standout illustration of the Sullivan kids' unconventional schooling is when their mom, Belinda, assigned them to research Mt Isa before their visit. This pre-trip assignment aimed to ensure they fully experienced the destination, not just for a gig! Naturally, they explored the mines, tried their hand at barramundi fishing, attended the Rotary Rodeo, and made a stop at the Outback Park.

Kevin finds humour in the fascinating individuals he encounters during his road trips, especially the multitude of 'grey nomads.' On a memorable occasion, when he discovered that entry into South Australia was restricted during the Covid period, he cleverly leveraged the wisdom of the grey nomads. He decided to follow their trail into the Northern Territory, ensuring that he could later access Western Australia without any complications. Once in W.A., he encountered numerous opportunities to continue his performances.

In 2022, this talented family captivated audiences across Australia on Channel 7's The Voice Generations stage. While they are no strangers to the spotlight, the experience proved to be quite intense for their children, even Kevin noted that it was a full-on adventure for them. The challenge presented to them was to perform a cover song, 'Down Under' by Men at Work, a departure from their usual repertoire of original songs. The youngest member of the family, Jet, didn't participate, as he was considered too young at the time.

Although they didn't receive a chair turn from the judges, the family relished the opportunity to showcase their talents to the judges and the entire Australian audience. An untelevised highlight of their audition was when country music superstar judge Keith Urban requested Kevin's original track, 'Outback Australia.' Urban was visibly moved, remarking, “What you have just shown us right there, is the epitome of what this show is about, your beautiful Australian family spirit was so present and gorgeous!”

Reflecting on the experience, Kevin and Belinda found it to be immensely rewarding. They pointed out that one of the most valuable outcomes was the growth of their children, who embraced the challenge and learned how to master the intricacies of three-part harmonies.

In today's dynamic world, Kevin, a seasoned individual with a rich tapestry of experiences, has managed to craft a multifaceted career. His latest endeavours have taken him to the heart of the entertainment industry, where he's now booked for ticketed shows and featured in festivals, with the recent KISS festival in Kiama being a noteworthy highlight.

These days, Kevin is no stranger to the spotlight. His bookings for ticketed shows, well handled by Belinda, have become a popular choice for families looking for affordable yet captivating entertainment. Their recent voyage from Victoria to Queensland, encompassing 18 shows and a 6,000-kilometre journey, showcases the extent of their dedication to their craft.

But Kevin's story doesn't stop at this stage. His business interests are as diversified as his career. Besides the entertainment world, he's also ventured into the world of literature. Kevin is currently collaborating with acclaimed Best-Selling Author, ghost-writer Campbell McConachie, known for his work on 'The Fatalists.' Together, they are crafting an autobiography that promises to be a gripping tale. The book draws inspiration from Kevin's extraordinary life experiences, including his stint as a 'bomb tech' in the police force and Forensic Crime Scene to his current occupation as an eclectic singer/songwriter, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into a world most can only imagine.

Behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world lies a story of dedication and a unique work-life balance. The Sulli-Vans family have found the secret to their success -flexibility. Their lifestyle allows them to be "present" parents, ensuring their children receive the quality time they deserve.

Their lifestyle is not just about work; it's about opportunities for their children to explore the world. The Sullivan children's fascination with people and their innate curiosity is nurtured by the family's unique experiences. In the upcoming year, they are all set to embark on a journey to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, immersing themselves in the heart of Australia's country music scene, performing their biggest show yet with a full band at Blazes Auditorium, West Tamworth Leagues Club during the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival. This is just one example of the amazing adventures that their lifestyle affords them.

While they embrace their modern, fast-paced life, the Sullivans never forget to honour tradition. Every year, they make it a point to participate in the local Anzac Dawn Service, paying their respects to the country's heritage, performing his Award-winning Anzac Day song, Pilgrimage.