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Gayla Peevey
Gayla Peevey – born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 8, 1943 – is a former
child star and singer best known for the classic 1953 Christmas novelty hit “I
Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. She grew up in a religious household and
began singing in church. Her musical career began at the age of 8 years old when
her uncle, who played fiddle on a radio program in Oklahoma City, brought her to
one of the shows to perform. Her appearance turned into a bi-weekly gig on the
shows The Chuck Wagon Gang and The Boomer Shindig. She became a popular local
television attraction and began t...
