Jo Ann Castle

Jo Ann Castle (born September 3, 1939) is an American honky-tonk pianist, best remembered for appearing on The Lawrence Welk Show.[2] She adopted her stage name from the name of an accordion manufacturer, another instrument she played proficiently. She was often referred to as "Queen of the Honky-Tonk Piano" by Lawrence Welk himself.

Jo Ann Castle
Castle on the left with Lawrence Welk and Cissy King, 1969.
Background information
Birth nameJo Ann Zering[1]
Born (1939-09-03) September 3, 1939
Bakersfield, California, United States
GenresHonky-tonk, Boogie-woogie, Ragtime
Occupation(s)Pianist
InstrumentsPiano, Accordion
Associated actsThe Lawrence Welk Show

Originally introduced to Welk by Joe Feeney in 1959, Castle became a permanent member of the Welk Family, replacing the departing Big Tiny Little. Shortly after joining the Show, Castle married cameraman Dean Hall. They divorced in 1966 after having a daughter. Castle married again in 1968 and had a son and a daughter. Castle left the Welk Show in 1969 and divorced in 1971. Her third marriage, in 1978, ended in 1986.

In the 1990s, Castle performed at the Welk-owned Champagne Theater in Branson, Missouri, as well as making a guest appearance for a show with Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra on RFD TV.

On September 3, 2011, Castle married her fourth husband, Lin Biviano, a trumpet player from Boston.

References
  1. Newcombe, Bob (Mar 7, 1963). "Vivacious Pianist Talks As Nimbly As She Plays". Eugene Register-Guard.
  2. Bush, John. "Jo Anne Castle". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 September 2014.


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