It is with sadness that I found out about the recent passing of Flatwoods, KY banjo picker Bert Garvin. He was one of the first of my 'banjo heroes' I came across. His few recordings can be heard on the 'Kentucky Old Time Banjo' CD plus a CD set called 'Meeting's A Pleasure'. I emailed Bert's grandson Michael (whom I believe is a member here) some years ago about Bert's banjo on the 'Kentucky' CD 'cause I just fell in love with it's tone. As a consequence of that, I'm having a banjo custom built to similar specs. I've included a link to his obituary, and I'd like to pass on my sincere condolences to his family and friends. I would've like to pick a tune with him, but living over in Australia, that was near impossible.
http://dailyindependent.com/obituaries/x459219492/Bert-Garvin-1930-2011
Banjojustin