Andrea Faulk, Author at SRO PR

December 18, 2025

FINGER ELEVEN Introduce New Social Media Miniseries Inspired By New Album ‘Last Night On Earth’; 2026 Tour With Filter And Special Guest Local H Set To Launch March 5

DT: DECEMBER 18, 2025

FM: AMANDA CAGAN, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

Download HERE; credit: Courtesy of Finger Eleven
Left to right: Sean Anderson (bass), Steve Molella (drums), Scott Anderson (vocals), Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar), James Black (lead guitar/backing vocals)

MULTI-PLATINUM
FINGER ELEVEN
INTRODUCE NEW SOCIAL MEDIA MINISERIES
INSPIRED BY NEW ALBUM
‘LAST NIGHT ON EARTH’
2026 TOUR WITH FILTER AND SPECIAL GUEST LOCAL H
SET TO LAUNCH MARCH 5
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Download admat HERE

One of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time, the multi-platinum FINGER ELEVEN (@finger_eleven) released their seventh album, LAST NIGHT ON EARTH, on November 7 via Better Noise Music (their first with the label).

As a special gift to their fans, the group is bringing various songs from the album to life with an eight-episode video miniseries, which will appear on their social media starting today (December 18).

The shows will reimagine songs from the album into real life as science/fantasy/adventure short films in an homage to the band’s favorite genre (such as Krull, The Beastmaster, and Flash Gordon). They’re huge fans of those particular movies, as well as the popular tabletop role player games that have arrived back in the spotlight thanks to the popularity of the Netflix series “Stranger Things” and the “Hellfire Club.” The “Last Night On Earth” miniseries—deliciously campy and steeped in the Good vs. Evil trope—will roll out on the band’s and Better Noise Music’s socials starting today (December 10). Throughout the miniseries, as the characters endure their quest, viewers will hear clips of new songs from LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.

In touring news, FINGER ELEVEN is excited to team up with Filter for a U.S. tour along with special guest Local H starting March 5, 2026 in Wenatchee, WA at the Town Toyota Center. The band recently traded vocals with Filter singer Richard Patrick on the thunderous track “Blue Sky Mystery” from LAST NIGHT ON EARTH. Meanwhile, FINGER ELEVEN are currently wrapping up 2025 with their own headlining tour throughout Canada with fellow native sons Headstones and The Tea Party. Tickets for all shows are available now on the band’s official website.

Four singles and videos have been released from LAST NIGHT ON EARTH, the most recent being “The Mountain” (November 7), which can be heard HERE and the video can be seen HERE. The title track came out September 19 (listen to “Last Night On Earth” HERE and watch the video HERE that has over 325k views), preceded by “Blue Sky Mystery” featuring Richard Patrick from Filter on August 1. It landed the band their 11th Billboard Top 10 radio hit in Canada (listen to the song HERE and view the video HERE that has over 432k views). The high-octane “Adrenaline” (which reached the Top 20 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart) was released last year along with a video that’s logged nearly 200k views on YouTube. The song also vaulted to #2 on the Active Rock chart in Canada, where the song held strong in the Top 5 for over four months.

Originally from Burlington, Ontario and now based mostly out of Toronto, FINGER ELEVEN have released a series of consecutive hit albums and become among the greatest live bands to ever emerge from the great White North. Their self-titled debut album broke the band into the international mainstream, achieving Gold status in the United States and Platinum in Canada, and smashing the first single, “One Thing,” across the radio and Billboard charts. Their 2007 album, THEM VS. YOU VS. ME, launched the single “Paralyzer,” setting radio records in the U.S., peaking at #1 internationally and going 5x Platinum, the band’s second million-plus seller. They won the Juno Award for Rock Album the following year and set an incredible run at rock radio, with an unbeaten 14 weeks at the top spot. LIFE TURNS ELECTRIC, was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Rock Album of the Year. 2015’s FIVE CROOKED LINES continued to electrify audiences the world over and their 2023 GREATEST HITS includes their biggest smash hit in a decade, “Together Right,” which topped the radio charts for an amazing five-week run at #1.

Here are the FINGER ELEVEN tour dates:

With Filter and Local H:

3/5 Wenatchee, WA – Town Toyota Center

3/6 Boise ID – Revolution Concert House

* 3/8 Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre

3/10 Denver, CO – Ogden

3/11 Wichita, KS – Cotillion

3/13 Saint Charles, MO – The Family Arena

3/14 Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi

3/15 Pelham, TN – The Cavern

3/17 Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center

3/19 Evans, GA – Columbia County PAC

3/20 Charles Town, WV – Penn G

3/21 Waynesborough, VA – The Foundry

3/23 Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts

3/25 Duluth, MN – Symphony Hall

3/26 La Crosse, WI – La Crosse Center

3/27 Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

3/29 Columbus, OH – King of Clubs

3/30 Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom

3/31 Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center

4/1 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues

* Local H is not on this show

Download artwork HERE

SRO PR ASSETS: www.sropr.com/portfolio/finger-eleven

ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC

BETTER NOISE MUSIC, the artist development company, is the premier independent record label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Yellowcard, Sabaton, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, The Rasmus, NOTHING MORE, The HU, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, Eva Under Fire and The Funeral Portrait. The company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney. The label was named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2024, after its history-making run of 5 consecutive years as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint (2018-2022).

###

For FINGER ELEVEN press inquiries, please contact:

SRO PR
Amanda Cagan – amanda@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

December 16, 2025

UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL Confirms Initial 2026 Tour Dates

DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL
CONFIRMS INITIAL 2026 TOUR DATES
THE BIG LOVE TOUR DATES
KICK OFF APRIL 11 AT THE GRENADA REGGAE FEST

U.S. SHOWS TO FOLLOW WITH STOPS IN FLORIDA,
NEW YORK, AND MORE

A person holding an object

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Ali Campbell

Fronted by the unmistakable voice of ALI CAMPBELL—known as the legendary original lead singer of UB40—UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL has announced the initial dates for their Big Love Tour in 2026. The shows kick off at the Grenada Reggae Fest—also known as “The Big Show,” a major cultural event featuring international and local artists—before the tour arrives in the U.S. with multiple stops in Florida and throughout the New York area (see the itinerary below). The 2026 dates follow an extensive 2024–2025 European tour of sold-out shows and major festival headlining slots. The tour is being booked by Universal Attractions Agency / Jeff Epstein in North America.

ALI CAMPBELL eternally remains the voice, the face, and the sound of UB40. For the live shows, ALI is backed by the same band of world class players who have performed with him since 2008. Tapping into the pulse of the Caribbean with respect and invoking the magic of its music with reverence, ALI has struck a chord with one generation of fans after another as the founding frontman and original lead “vocALIst” of UB40 and now as the namesake of UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL.

At the very mention of “Red Red Wine,” “Kingston Town,” “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” or dozens of other hits, audiences can’t help but think of ALI’s inimitable vocals punctuated by his irreplaceable intonation, butter-smooth delivery, and bold British soul. His voice has catalyzed sales of 100 million albums, 40 Top 20 hits (as well as four #1’s), billions of streams, and innumerable accolades. Beyond earning a GRAMMY® Award nomination, he has also garnered the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for “International Achievement” and the Mauritius Government Award. Accompanied by an elite cohort of world-class players, he properly continues the legacy of UB40 with the classic sound listeners know and love on the road in 2026 and beyond.

“UB40 is my legacy,” he smiles. “It’s an absolute joy to travel everywhere and sing these songs to lovely audiences. This is reggae; it brings people together and unifies them. It doesn’t matter if you’re 10-years-old or 100-years-old, it’s always a happy time. This is what I’ve done for the last 40-plus years of my adult life. I have no intention of ever stopping either.”

The initial Big Love Tour dates by UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL are as follows:

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
Sat 4/11/26	Grenada, West Indies	National Cricket Stadium
Wed 4/15/26	Apopka , FL	Apopka Amphitheatre
Thu 4/16/26	Cocoa Beach , FL	Cocoa Riverfront Park
Fri 4/17/26	Pompano Beach, FL	Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
Sun 4/19/26	Clearwater, FL	Ruth Ekhard Hall
Wed 4/25/26	Austin, TX	The Far Out (Main Stage)
Fri 5/1/26	Atlantic City, NJ	Oceans Casino w/ Matisyahu
Sat 5/2/26	Mashantucket, CT	Foxwoods Casino w/ Matisyahu
Sun 5/3/26	New York, NY	Kings Theatre

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X

December 12, 2025

The COPA ROOM Adds Second Show By Demand On 12/17 for Jiaoying Summers, The Comedy Powerhouse

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/HILLARY SMOOT

DATE: DECEMBER 11, 2025

A blue text on a white background

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

THE INTIMATE COPA ROOM
INSIDE TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
ADDS SECOND SHOW BY DEMAND FOR
JIAOYING SUMMERS ON DECEMBER 17
AS PART OF THE COMEDY POWERHOUSE’S MONTHLY RESIDENCY

Jiaoying Summers
Photo Credit: Remi Vision (download)

The intimate COPA ROOM inside Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas has announced a second show by demand on December 17 at 9:45pm for comedy powerhouse Jiaoying Summers as part of her ongoing monthly residency. Tickets are now on sale HERE. Meanwhile, there are limited tickets available for the first show at 7:30pm (HERE).

Get ready for an unforgettable night of laughter with this actress, stand-up comedian, and viral sensation whose unfiltered, modern, and global comedic voice resonates across generations. The dates, times and ticket links for the remaining shows of the residency, which began on October 30 and wraps January 12, are listed below.

Jiaoying is a Chinese American standup comedian, Asian Hall of Fame inductee, and social media comedy queen with over one billion online views. She is currently on her international tour “Jiaoying: What Specie Are You?” having just wrapped a 27-show, 20-day run across 9 cities throughout Asia and Australia—all sold out. She is now onto her US leg of the tour that runs through 2026. In addition to her current tour, Summers owns her own standup club in Los Angeles called The Hollywood Comedy and she recently made history as the first Chinese comedian to headline (and sell out) the iconic Apollo Theatre in New York City. Jiaoying also hosts her own popular podcast Tiger Mom where she invites fellow comedians and artists to sit down for more personal conversations.

Born in China, Jiaoying went to college in the U.S. and is now based in Los Angeles. She turns cultural clashes, immigrant identity, and motherhood into razor-sharp comedy that resonates across continents. With a loyal fanbase of 4+ million followers, Jiaoying is a digital juggernaut whose content regularly goes viral—most notably her “Uber Karen” sketch and her irreverent takes on English names by roasting their meaning in Chinese. Whether on stage, online, or at home as a mom, Jiaoying offers a modern, unfiltered, global comedic voice that has made her a can’t-miss performer.

Self-parking and valet parking at the Tuscany are always complimentary. A full-service bar is available with well drinks priced at $10-12 and beers between $5-7.

Wednesday, December 17 · 7:30 – 8:30pm. Doors at 7pm:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jiaoying-summers-vegas-residency-tickets-1770260740529?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wednesday, December 17 · 9:45 -10:45pm. Doors at 9:30pm:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jiaoying-summers-vegas-residency-encore-show-tickets-1977522016585?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 · 7:30 – 8:30pm. Doors at 7pm:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jiaoying-summers-vegas-residency-tickets-1770286788439?aff=oddtdtcreator

The audience at The Copa Room
(Photo courtesy of The Copa Room)

ABOUT TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO:

Award-winning Tuscany Suites & Casino offers an oasis featuring 716 Northern Italy-inspired suites, multiple dining options, a spectacular pool area, live entertainment, a full-service spa, spacious meeting, and banquet space, as well as slot, video poker, and table gaming options. Tuscany Suites & Casino, located at 255 E. Flamingo Ave., is two blocks east of the famed Las Vegas Strip. To learn more about Tuscany Suites & Casino, call (702) 893-8933 or visit www.tuscanylv.com, and follow on Instagram @tuscanycasino, Facebook @tuscanylv, or X @TuscanyCasino.

# # #

THE COPA ROOM MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mitch Schneider, SRO PR
mschneider@sropr.com

Hillary Smoot, SRO PR
hillary@sropr.com

December 12, 2025

MEGADETH “Let There Be Shred: The Ultimate Megadeth Immersive Listening Event” Set For January 2026 In Nashville; Tickets On Sale Now

DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2025

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

MEGADETH
ANNOUNCE
LET THERE BE SHRED:
THE ULTIMATE MEGADETH IMMERSIVE LISTENING EVENT

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026
EXCLUSIVE DAY-LONG IMMERSIVE CELEBRATION IN NASHVILLE

With MEGADETH’s final studio album set for release on January 23, the metal titans have announced LET THERE BE SHRED: THE ULTIMATE MEGADETH IMMERSIVE LISTENING EVENT set for Saturday, January 17 in La Vergne, TN (just outside Nashville). This exclusive, day-long immersive celebration will offer attendees the opportunity to get closer to the band, the music, the stories, and the legacy than ever before. Join MEGADETH—Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—for an unforgettable day inside the band’s world. A limited number of tickets are available HERE for the event.

The initial itinerary for LET THERE BE SHRED: THE ULTIMATE MEGADETH IMMERSIVE LISTENING EVENT will include an acoustic Megadeth performance, Megadeth Master Class, Gibson Guitar Talk, Band Q&A + More. Additional details are as follows:

●An Acoustic Megadeth Performance

A rare acoustic set including new album tracks and classic hits.

●Megadeth Master Class

Band members break down legendary riffs, songwriting, tones, and
techniques—right from the stage.

●Gibson Guitar Talk

Dave and Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian take the stage for an intimate
conversation on Dave’s signature guitar lineup, what it means to be a Gibson ambassador, and to share some special news with you before anyone else.

●Band Q&A

●Evening Hang & Full Album Playthrough

●Immersive Spaces & Displays

●Food, Drinks Megadeth Beer & House of Mustaine Wine Tasting

●Exclusive Merch Kit

●Individual Photo with the Band

●Contests, Competitions, Giveaways & Prizes

ALBUM ARTWORK

Leading up to the album’s debut, MEGADETH have released two tracks: “I Don’t Care” (watch the video HERE and listen to the song HERE) and “Tipping Point,” the album’s first single (watch the video HERE and listen to the song HERE). MEGADETH have also announced a very special bonus track from the album: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which MUSTAINE co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album. Pre-order the album, via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label, HERE. Read more about the album’s full track listing HERE.

MEGADETH
Photo credit: Ross Halfin

December 11, 2025

CHLOE TRUJILLO Releases Second Single “Lies” From Her Independent New EP ‘Rebirth’

DATE: DECEMBER 11, 2025

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

CHLOE TRUJILLO
RELEASES SECOND SINGLE
“LIES”
FROM HER INDEPENDENT NEW EP
‘REBIRTH’
SET FOR RELEASE IN EARLY 2026

LISTEN TO THE HAUNTING AND SONICALLY HEAVY
MIDDLE-EASTERN TINGED TRACK
HERE

“Lies/Take me away/From the lies/Save me from me…”
“Lies,” Chloe Trujillo

A person with long hair in the dark AI-generated content may be incorrect. SINGLE ARTWORK

Fresh off an Australian tour with her BLVD OF Eyes project and stops at Miami’s annual Art Basel and NY Fashion Week, singer and songwriter CHLOE TRUJILLO has today (December 11) released the second single “Lies” from her independent new solo EP REBIRTH out in early 2026. Listen to the haunting and sonically heavy Middle Eastern-tinged track HERE and stay tuned for a music video to follow later this month.

“The song is about the stories we tell ourselves, and the external falsehoods- together,” CHLOE says. “It has double meaning, the more superficial one, regarding external aspects, but more so a deeper meaning, about letting go of control, of limiting beliefs, of the ego trying to protect us in our comfort zone and we stay stuck. Learning to say goodbye to the old self. The internal self-deception—when you begin to shed layers, letting go of your old identities, you can start to see the real you. Growth requires stepping into the unknown and facing your fears. It’s about spiritual transcendence.”

CHLOE adds, “At its core, the message is personal, but also universal, as I believe we all inflict ourselves with some kind of self-punishment. It’s about saving ourselves for that and seeing our true self.”

“Lies” follows the album’s first single, the soulfully expressive metal song “As the Sky is Falling Down.” The track’s ominous guitar underscores the Paris-born and Los Angeles-based artist’s moving and haunting delivery. The delicate hum gives way to a trudging groove, and CHLOE proclaims, “As the sky is falling down, I stand tall, wreckage all around, but I won’t fall.” Her spoken word transfixes over the turbulent bridge. Listen to the song HERE and watch the video, which includes dramatic scenes of CHLOE shot at the ocean, HERE.

REBIRTH evokes the sound of change out loud. You can hear the past being shed, the present being seized, and the future being manifested through her spirited conjurations of soulfully expressive metal. CHLOE carefully crafted what would become REBIRTH throughout 2024 and 2025. Her songwriting process is ongoing and ever evolving. When choosing the songs for the new EP, she says, “I have a stash of hundreds of songs waiting to be properly recorded, so for this EP I selected four of those to finish. I already have another 6 or 7 in mind for my next release.” Following writing, she teamed up with producer Jake Carmona to bring it to life in the studio.

ABOUT CHLOE TRUJILLO:

An empathetic Renaissance woman through and through, the Paris-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, visual artist, designer, and consummate creative.

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
YouTube

December 11, 2025

Watch Brand New MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK Trailer; Tickets On Sale Now Global Cinematic Event That Chronicles The Band’s 40-Year Career

DATE: DECEMBER 11, 2025

WATCH BRAND NEW
MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK
TRAILER HERE
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE
GLOBAL CINEMATIC EVENT THAT
CHRONICLES THE BAND’S 40-YEAR CAREER
Go to megadethfilm.com to get tickets

IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDE JANUARY 22 FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
FILM WILL BE SHOWN ON
MORE THAN 1,000 SCREENS WORLDWIDE
FIRST LISTEN EVENT TO COINCIDE WITH THE JANUARY 23

RELEASE OF MEGADETH’S SELF-TITLED ALBUM,
THE BAND’S FINAL STUDIO RELEASE

A poster for a movie

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

CLICK HERE FOR FILM ASSETS

Legendary metal titans MEGADETH and Trafalgar Releasing have revealed the trailer for MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK, a cinematic legacy event that will debut on screens worldwide Thursday, January 22.

Watch the TRAILER here.

Tickets are now on sale for the film that will screen in over 1,000 cinemas across 35+ countries on the eve of the release of the band’s final studio album out January 23. To get tickets, and for more information and to sign up for updates, fans can visit megadethfilm.com.

In MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK, Dave Mustaine pulls back the curtain on 40 years of MEGADETH, sharing untold stories of the band’s past and the creative fire that drives them. Interwoven throughout, audiences will get to experience the world premiere of MEGADETH’S new self-titled album in full, brought to life with a 40-year retrospective career-spanning interview and Mustaine’s own track-by-track reflections about the band’s final studio album. This one-night-only listening event will provide a first-listen to this landmark project. MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK is an immersive celebration of one of the most influential bands in metal history, capturing their legacy while heralding a powerful new chapter.

Leading up to the album and film’s debut, MEGADETH—Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—have released two tracks: “I Don’t Care” (watch the video HERE and listen to the song HERE) and “Tipping Point,” the album’s first single (watch the video HERE and listen to the song HERE). MEGADETH have also announced a very special bonus track from the album: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which MUSTAINE co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album. Pre-order the album, via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label, HERE. Read more about the album’s full track listing HERE.

Press Contacts

USA & Canada – Marcee Rondan at Schneider Rondan Organization | marcee@sropr.com

Rest of World – Sylvie Field at Trafalgar Releasing | sylvie.f@trafalgar-releasing.com

December 10, 2025

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND Release High-Energy Holiday Single And Video For “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas”

DATE: DECEMBER 10, 2025

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
RELEASE HIGH-ENERGY HOLIDAY SINGLE AND VIDEO FOR
“I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS”
OUT TODAY

TRACK IS FROM THE BAND’S
‘BUCKLE UP’ ALBUM
VIA DEKO
WATCH THE NYC-FILMED CLIP HERE

A group of people in a garment

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Still from “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” video (Download)

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND are known for marrying rock ‘n roll’s visceral energy and succinct songwriting to suave, swinging throwback arrangements and aesthetics. Today (December 10), they’ve released a new video for “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas.” Taken from their current and second album BUCKLE UP (DEKO, 2025), the high-energy song has a red-hot arrangement with searing guitar lines, galloping rhythm, pumping horns, and infectious female backing vocals. Watch the video, which mixes vintage-inspired Claymation against live scenes filmed throughout Manhattan, HERE. “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” follows the album’s previous singles So Long” (September 19, coinciding with the album’s release), “Two Of A Kind” (August 22), and “Lucky 13” (July 18).

“Whenever you’re doing big band music, especially when it’s fused with 50’s style rock n roll, you have to consider doing a Christmas song,” the singer, songwriter, and guitarist explains about the song that was originally made famous by the 10-year-old Gayla Peevy back in 1953. “I had seen my niece do this song at a holiday concert when she was 4 or 5 years old—it was the first time I heard it and thought she was so damn cute. I got to thinking about how I could do a rockin’ big band version of it. Putting on a guitar and singing along to a new arrangement just came together quickly, and with Kingston and Greystar in the band adding female vocals, it just kind of made the whole thing make sense.”

For the recording of the song, DD did a demo mix of the song and sent it to the great Jim McMillen to create the horn arrangements. He just picked up on it very quickly and it all gelled together,” he explains. “Since he had done some Christmas songs in the past, Jim had a good feel for what types of arrangements would make it feel more like a holiday song. He had some great ideas for some of the background vocals,” adds DD. “The girls and I were screaming his name quite a bit as we were doing them. There are a ton of harmonies and in interesting spots…we had a lot of fun trying to put them together. And I mean c’mon, how can you be smiling when you’re singing you have a two-car garage to keep your hippo in ??!!”

When it came to creating the video, DD says he knew it had to be pure fun. “We wanted the spirt of NYC on the holidays, so we filmed all over Manhattan. Our video people had a great costumer, and we had our Hippo mascot (named Peevy, a tribute to Gayla Peevy who sang the song like 70 years ago) made to accompany us all around the city. We just had a night of laughter and fun. I love the holidays and having our own song and video to roll out each year as time goes on is a really cool thing. And there is nowhere like NYC at Christmas. I have been all over the world, to all the great Christmas Markets in Europe, but NYC is still the benchmark.”

“I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” Artwork (Download)

“I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” marks the second holiday song by DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND; it follows the group’s 2023 release “We’re A Couple of Misfits” (watch the video HERE). “I wanted to do a Christmas song that had not been done so many times,” DD says of the song that was featured in the 1964 Rankin/Bass Christmas special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” “At the heart of a lot of Christmas music is a blues progression on the chords which lends itself great to what we do. We had a friend come and do a rocking video for it and it’s a song we now play now at our holiday shows, so very very fun.”

A red square with white text and christmas lights

AI-generated content may be incorrect. “We’re A Couple of Misfits” Artwork (Download)

For DD, the holidays have always revolved around family. “I have so many wonderful Christmas memories—I have seven brothers and sisters, so growing up Christmas was a madhouse at the Verni house. Tearing open boxes, just mayhem, and we loved it. I can remember one year when I was maybe 14 or so. We used to put albums we wanted on our Christmas list and my mom would go to Tower Records and ask the clerk and get the records we wanted. Well, that year I put down Black Sabbath’s We Sold Our Souls for Rock n Roll and Nazareth’s Expect No Mercy and got em both! Now my mom, God rest her soul, could not have been pleased to be making those purchases, but wanted me to have a great day and so I got ‘em. With my own kids,” he adds, “I carried on so many family traditions. We did the typical things. Every year I’d take my kids to pick out a real tree and we’d stuff it in the car and bring it home. My kids are grown but we still do stockings every year. I live at the beach now so there are different things available in a beach town rather than in the suburbs where I grew up, but it’s still pretty traditional. Of course, there’s always a massive spread of Italian food on Christmas day.”

Connect with DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND at:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TikTok

SRO PR PRESS RELEASES AND ASSETS

CONTACT:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com

December 9, 2025

Swing and ring in the New Year at Vic’s Las Vegas with dazzling dining and Dave Damiani

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2025

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SWING AND RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT VIC’S LAS VEGAS WITH DAVE DAMIANI

WHAT: Ring and swing in 2026 in a big way, big band style at Vic’s Las Vegas. Raise a glass, get into the groove with Dave Damiani, and enjoy a special prix fixe dinner, or offerings from their Italian American inspired menu. *

New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe menu offerings include:

Surf & Turf – an 8oz Filet Mignon with two Blackened Shrimp, accompanied by Bearnaise sauce, sauteed Haricot Verte and Baby Carrots ($75)
Fish of The Day – Pan Seared Bronzino with Chimichurri sauce, Spinach and Mushroom Risotto ($65)

WHEN: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Seating Times:
7 p.m. – $50 per person
9:30 p.m. – $60 per person

Each reservation includes an appetizer for the table to share, festive party favors, and bottomless bubbly to toast the New Year in style.
*The full menu and specials are available until 11:45 p.m., and then late-night happy hour is available the last hour Vic’s is open.

WHERE: Vic’s Las Vegas
355 Promenade Place in Symphony Park
Reservations are strongly encouraged.

ABOUT DAVE DAMIANI

Dave Damiani is an American singer, songwriter, producer based out of Los Angeles, CA. Having started as a bartender at the famed CHARLIE O’S JAZZ CLUB in Valley Village, CA, Dave Damiani had the opportunity to work, learn and become friends with some of the best musicians on the planet. Legends like Earl Palmer, Marty Harris, Ross Tompkins, Sam Most, Teddy Edwards, John Heard, Roy McCurdy, Frank Capp, Ernie McDaniel, Dini Clarke, Danny Grissett, George Gaffney, Mark Murphy, and Richie Cole (just to name a few) took time to mentor Dave Damiani, share stories and chord changes.

Shortly after receiving his master’s degree in Commercial Music from the California State University in Los Angeles, Dave began his pursuit to put together the perfect band with youth and style. His debut album “Watch What Happens” has been receiving worldwide airplay. Brad “Martini” Chambers was the first to discover Dave Damiani’s originality. Brad has been playing him constantly on www.martiniinthemorning.com since 2013, and he receives airplay on over 300 radio stations and on Satellite Radio XM 71 (Siriusly Sinatra). Once when Damiani hosted his own hour on Siriuisly Sinatra #71, his good friend and New Jersey brother Joe Piscopo swung by the studio to say, “hi”!

Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra have produced shows with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, The Grove, Citi, Capital One, American Airlines, Jack Daniels, George Benson, Molly Ringwald, Bobby Ridel, Landau Murphy Jr., Hailey Reinhart, Renee Olstead, Steve Tyrel, and Larry King.

ABOUT VIC’S LAS VEGAS

Created by Porchlight Hospitality in 2023, the award-winning Vic’s Las Vegas is located in Symphony Park at 355 Promenade Place. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m., Vic’s features Italian American cuisine, a full-service bar with Happy Hour daily from 2 – 5 p.m., a reverse Happy Hour between Midnight – 1 a.m. in the Bar area, gaming, and live entertainment nightly. Reservations can be made by calling 725-755-5299 or visit vicslasvegas.com. Follow on Instagram @vicslasvegas.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Hillary Smoot, SRO PR
310-367-9056
Hillary@sropr.com

Image of Dave Damiani is courtesy

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