| Jo Ann Castle | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Jo Ann Zering[1] |
| Birth Date: | 3 September 1939 |
| Birth Place: | Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Genre: | Honky-tonk, Boogie-woogie, Ragtime |
| Occupation: | Pianist |
| Instrument: | Piano, Accordion |
| Associated Acts: | The Lawrence Welk Show |
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.
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.
| Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [3] | |||
| The Best Little Honky Tonk in Town |
| 30 |