Northern Virginia – Some folks in St. Mary’s County may remember Maura Sullivan who attended St. Mary’s Academy in Leonardtown and St. Mary’s College before blossoming into a professional singer who opened for Joan Rivers, George Strait, Janie Fricke, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Odetta, the band Looking Glass (“Brandy”), George Jones, Lee Greenwood, Loretta Lynn, John Denver and many others.
Sullivan’s voice could often be heard on Washington radio station WMZQ with songs like “Wrong End of the Rainbow” and each holiday season, “Christmas Eve in Washington.”
Sullivan, now a Realtor in Northern Virginia, said she only sings for family and friends these days.
“I burned out,” she admitted, saying the grueling demand of performing finally got to her.
She hasn’t lost her creative spirit, however.
Sullivan has turned author of a children’s book, “Marty the Dolphin’s Great Day Adventure,” and along with illustrator-cartoonist Jay Schwartz have initiated what she said will be a continuing adventure.
The story revolves around a four-year-old dolphin migrating around the world with its family, learning and sharing adventures.
“I love this book,” Sullivan said. “It was fun for me and it’s fun for the kids.”
Marty begins his journey in Japan and migrates across the Pacific Ocean, down around Mexico, into the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic coast.
“It’s a really fun, touching story,” she noted.
Sullivan said she plans more books for children based on Marty’s travels around the world.
To find out more or to purchase a great holiday gift for your child visit martythedolphin.com.
To enjoy, one more time for the holidays, Christmas Eve in Washington performed by Sullivan, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rBsza7bI0.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com