Gayla Peevey

Gayla Rienette Peevey (born March 8, 1943) is an American former singer and child star. She is best known for her humorous song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". Peevey recorded it under her maiden name in 1953 at age 10.
In 1960, under the name Jamie Horton, Peevey had a minor hit with the song "Robot Man", a Connie Francis cover.
Peevey graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Education degree. She later left teaching. She owned her own advertising business for 15 years.
Peevey was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1948, she and her family moved to Ponca City.