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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 name | Jo Ann Zering[1] |
| Born | September 3, 1939 Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Honky-tonk, Boogie-woogie, Ragtime |
| Occupation | Pianist |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, Accordion |
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, who was a trumpet player from Boston.
Discography
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [3] | ||
| The Best Little Honky Tonk in Town |
|
30 |
References
- ^ Newcombe, Bob (Mar 7, 1963). "Vivacious Pianist Talks As Nimbly As She Plays". Eugene Register-Guard.
- ^ Bush, John. "Jo Anne Castle". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 58. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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