A Nechville banjo for Irish music?

The January 2007 issue of Bluegrass Now magazine reports: 'Nechville Musical Products and Irish banjo wizard Gerry O'Connor are teaming up to bring the world a new sound in banjos... The final design is still under development, but the result of this collaboration will undoubtedly become the pinnacle of advancement in 4-string banjo function and sound.'

BN also mentions a projected bluegrass festival to be held in Italy in September 2007. Bands who would like to take part should contact Tom Nechville. The fall 2006 issue of Tom's quarterly journal Banjovia, including a major illustrated feature on his tour of Europe, and a report by the Carter Brothers on the fifth Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, can be viewed online here.