Walter Parks Will Open ‘Fletcher’s Listening Room’ in Montclair August 10

Written By Mike Greenblatt

PHOTO: Walter Parks by Jen Gray

Longtime Jersey City resident Walter Parks will inaugurate the new “Fletcher’s Listening Room” in Montclair. Ministers and congregants of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair (UUCM) put the new series with a coffeehouse vibe—according to Cindy Stagoff at njarts.net—into effect. Fletcher Hall on Church Street will be filled on August 10 with what Parks is calling “Woodstock Variations,” songs that were performed at the original Woodstock Festival in 1969 in Bethel, New York. He’ll also tell stories about touring with Richie Havens [1941-2013], one of Woodstock’s 32 artists.

Parks moved to Jersey City (he now lives in Missouri) from his native Florida because Havens lived there. According to Parks, Havens loved Jersey City so much that he convinced Parks to buy a house around the corner. Parks joined Richie’s band in 2000 and stayed with the folksinger for 11 years. Stagoff writes, “I first saw Parks perform in 2019 at a magical event in Jersey City, the Vault Allure Experience Festival, which featured his Downright Iridescent band. When Parks performs, it’s impossible not to stare because he’s captivating with his unique subtle lilting voice and strong stage presence.”

For further information, visit: https://onrealm.org/uumontclair/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZGNkMDFmNTUtZTc5OC00ZWRhLWJhMDktYjE5YjAwZTQzMzQ5

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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