Jo Ann Castle

Jo Ann Castle (born Jo Ann Zering; September 3, 1939 – May 8, 2026) was an American honky-tonk pianist who appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show. She adopted her stage name from the name of an accordion manufacturer, another instrument she played. She was often referred to as "Queen of the Honky-Tonk Piano" by Lawrence Welk. Jo Ann was born to William George Zering, (1904–1987), a railroad brakeman for the Santa Fe Railroad, and Dorothy Leona Easterly, (1918–1996), a Harvey Girl, who as an unwed lady, between the ages 18 and 30, of good character, worked as a hostess at the Bakersfield Harvey House hotel and eatery. Castle started her career in Bakersfield, California. When she was 3 years old, she began singing, dancing and performing within her local community. 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. Castle died on May 8, 2026, at the age of 86, as announced by several of her Welk co-stars. She had been suffering from chronic pain for several years prior to her death. 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. "Honky-tonk pianists Castle to entertain in Smyrna April 19". The News Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-09. Bebco, Joe (31 May 2026). "Jo Ann Castle (September 3, 1939 – May 8, 2026)". The Syncopated Times. Retrieved 1 June 2026. Statement from the Lennon Sisters on the death of Jo Ann Castle, Facebook.com, retrieved May 8, 2026 Statement from Ralna English on the death of Jo Ann Castle, Facebook.com, retrieved May 8, 2026 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. v t e