Juggling careers, a classic rock playlist and concert schedule is part of life for a Mount Vernon-based band Collective Delusion, who will play on Father’s Day in Fort Hunt Park. They hammer out a play list that spans the past several decades, catering to fans sitting on the lawn or in the VIP seats in D.C.

“We keep that music alive,” said Keith Barritt, one of the guitarists and vocalists who is a lawyer when not jamming with Collective Delusion. Bass player Bill Berridge is a patent attorney and Cecilia Closs has her own practice. Other band members include Steve Westphal on guitar and vocals, Ji Jung on drums, Blair Bennett on vocals along with Closs. The two women lead the stage presentation with their singing and it gives the band a certain sound.

“Our secret weapon is the two lead female singers,” Barritt said.

The band has been jamming for years but one moment that sticks out in their history was the parent-teacher talent show at West Potomac High School in 2012. Barritt’s son David was a senior that year. “We were the only parent act to sign up,” he said. Being the only parent group to show at that event was a big deal for the group. David Barritt went from West Potomac to college and then followed the family lineage graduating from law

Three of the rockers are lawyers during the week. 

 

The band plays everything from the Beatles to Lady GaGa, which includes Sheryl Crow, Foo Fighters, Adele, and the Rolling Stones “Beast of Burden.” There are no punk rock or rap songs on their list though. “All rock and roll,” Barritt said.

They are a familiar face at the Old Dominion Boat Club in Old Town but have played at the Mount Vernon Yacht Club, the Belle Haven Country Club, the Electric Palm in Woodbridge and the Wharf Stage in Washington, D.C. On April 26, they played at a porchfest in Washington, D.C. as well. This coming summer, they are scheduled to play at the Red Rocks Tequila in Centreville and the Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center.

This year for Father’s Day, they are playing at Fort Hunt Park on Saturday that weekend. This show is part of the Saturday evening concert series the National Park Service puts on.