wacky tacky icons: Jo Ann Castle

Last week we did something musically that we have been wanting to do for a long time; we went to a little jam session called "Ja, Just Accordions."  Our good friends Kevin and Jody mentioned the event very casually in a conversation one evening, but after I heard the words "Ja, just accordions," my mind wandered to what is most likely the wackiest, tackiest, and most beautiful instrument in the world and I never heard another word they said (sorry guys).

The whole gang getting hot

Held at The Phoenix Club, a German social club in Anaheim, CA, "Ja, Just Accordions" is a monthly meeting of accordionists, dancers, and enthusiasts.  Accordion music is in my blood.  Being from the Midwest, my paternal grandparents were avid polka dancers - I'm pretty sure it's mandatory.  My father took accordion lessons when he was young; I think it was part of my grandma's devious plan to raise the next Frankie Yankovic (her favorite of all the polka kings). Shoot, Mary asked for an accordion for her twelfth birthday - and GOT ONE!!!  So you see, despite our California zip code, our hearts are living in accordion country.

Shirley & Mary
Shirley was GREAT!  She played a lot of songs that we could dance to
 including a medley of "In the Mood" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

Pat just makes me happy.

Were we by far the youngest people in the room by at least thirty years?  Ja.  Did that make us superstars in the eyes of all our new found German friends?  Ja.  Were we given constant adulation every time we pretended to dance the polka and invited back to every upcoming event?  Ja, you betcha.

Ed giving Mary a little polka instruction

Youll be safe saying "Hi Ed" to any guy in the place;

Every man who introduced himself to us that night,

introduced himself as Ed - no joke.

Surrounded by all that dreamy accordion music, I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite television stars of all time, Miss Jo Ann Castle.

Jo Ann Castle
(3 September 1939 - )
(Source)

Taking her stage name from the Castle Accordions that she favored, Jo Ann Castle is best known as a regular performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1959 to 1969. On screen she always appeared absolutely carefree and totally filled with the joy of the music she performed - usually standards or ragtime arranged for honky tonk piano and polkas for the accordion.

 

See what I mean?

An early duet of "Tea for Two" with Myron Floren

I guess it goes to show you that you never know what is going on behind the scenes.  Upon doing a little research, it became evident that Castle's life was not all "champagne music."  Although I can't vouch for the veracity of the written account - it seems as if it was penned by a scorned lover/estranged family member- to read more, go here.  Instead of disturbing you with upsetting details, I thought I would simply indulge you with several of her best clips from TLWS.

"Hejre Katy"

Jo Ann gets a surprise cake and a new job on her 20th birthday.

"The World is Waiting for the Sunrise"

"Get Happy"

"Dark Eyes"

"Song of the Islands"

"A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
Welk was a cruel task master.

"Piano Roll Blues"

The hair is everything.

"The Happy Norwegian Polka"

"Chopsticks Boogie"

My most favorite of all - hilarious and disturbing!

Although it is a polarizing program, I don't know if there was another show in the history of television that embodied the spirit of wacky tacky, however unintentionally, like The Lawrence Welk Show.  Jo Ann Castle stood out from the crowd because instead of being just a lip-synching bobble-head, she was a sturdy, Bakersfield girl (I'll bet you thought Buck Owens was the only star to hail from that fair city), full of energy and talent! Unfortunately, like all of the greats before her, Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison, et al., there was a lot of pain hidden behind the smiles and accordion trills, but I guess that is the life of a rock star.  Has VH1 ever thought of doing a "Behind the Music" on Lawrence Welk stars? Or at least a "Behind the Hair?"  

"Queen of the Honky Tonk Piano," "Ragtime Piano Gal,"
"Queen of the Ragtime Piano," or just plain Queen of my heart!
(Source)

Be honest, do you love or hate The Lawrence Welk Show?  Do you have a favorite personality/performer from the show?  If you are a fan, there are so many great clips on YouTube, that you could keep yourself busy all day!

Remember, if you're in the area, feel free to join us at The Phoenix Club on the second Thursday of every month for "Ja, Just Accordions!"

The Phoenix Club

1340 S Sanderson Ave

Anaheim, CA

(714)563-4166

www.thephoenixclub.com

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny