Zussel the Mussel is a new socially-conscious children's musical with book, music and lyrics by Phil Hall, a BMI writer.

13. A Designer Flow

12. Pupfish's Prayer

11. Little Jazz Fish

10. Let's Rehearse Little Jazz Fish

9. A Fish In Distress

8. I Learned To Dream Big

6. I Hitch A Ride On A Fish

4. We Like To Watch Fish Swim

Choose Joy with Olivia Hardy

Track is vocal with by Olivia Elease Hardy, piano, bass, drums, violin and flute

CHOOSE JOY lyrics
Words and Music by Phil Hall  

I CHOOSE JOY JOY EV’RY SEASON
I CHOOSE JOY--JOY ‘CAUSE IT’S PLEASIN’
I CHOOSE JOY, JOY, JOY
EACH AND EVERYDAY—
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT DELIGHTS ME 
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT EXCITES ME 
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY.  

SO MUCH IN LIFE HAS HAPPENED 
SINCE WE LAST WERE IN THIS PLACE
RELEASING WITH LOVE, WE GATHER 
FOR A GREAT BIG DOSE OF GRACE  
HERE WITH THESE KINDRED SPIRITS
WE CAN FEEL OUR HEARTS TAKE FLIGHT 
LET’S LEAVE THE BAD BEHIND,
AND KEEP THE GOOD IN MIND,
ANOINT US ALL TONIGHT

I CHOOSE JOY--JOY EV’RY SEASON
I CHOOSE JOY--JOY ‘CAUSE IT’S PLEASIN’
I CHOOSE JOY, JOY, JOY
EACH AND EVERYDAY—
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT DELIGHTS ME 
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT EXCITES ME 
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY.  

TONIGHT WHEN I SLEEP, I’LL SAY MY PRAY’RS
FEELING FULLY BLESSED.
SURRENDERING ALL CONTROL, 
AND TRUSTING GOD TO DO THE REST.
KNOWING THAT I CAN HANDLE 
ALL TOMORROW BRINGS MY WAY
A NEW DAY, A MINUTE 
WITH YOU AND ME IN IT. 
ANOTHER CHANCE TO SAY

I CHOOSE JOY--JOY EV’RY SEASON
I CHOOSE JOY--JOY ‘CAUSE IT’S PLEASIN’
I CHOOSE JOY, JOY, JOY
EACH AND EVERYDAY—
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT DELIGHTS ME 
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT EXCITES ME 
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY.  

Now I understand that sometimes joy is tempered with trouble.  Sometimes we have to get into trouble.  John-Lewis-inspired trouble.  Good trouble.  Necessary trouble.  And until there is liberty and justice for all in this world, I cannot and must not be silent.  

EV’RYWHERE I GO, 
EV’RYTHING I SEE
I WANT JOY LOOKIN’ BACK AT ME
THOUGH IT CAN’T BE BOUGHT 
AND IT CAN’T BE SOLD,
WE KNOW THAT JOY CAN BRING 
RICHES UNTOLD
JOY WHEN WE STAND TALL
JOY WHEN WE DARE
JOY IN HOW WE LEARN 
AND JOY IN HOW WE CARE.  
DON’T EVER LET ANOTHER 
DIMINISH YOUR LIGHT
SHINE ON BRAVELY,
SHINE BRIGHT—  

AND CHOOSE JOY--JOY EV’RY SEASON
YES, CHOOSE JOY--JOY ‘CAUSE IT’S PLEASIN’
CHOOSE JOY, JOY, JOY
EACH AND EVERYDAY—
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT DELIGHTS ME 
I CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE IT EXCITES ME 
AND FOR AS LONG AS I AM LIVING
IT’S JOY THAT I’LL BE GIVING
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY. 
THERE’S NOT A SINGLE MOMENT 
THAT I DON’T CHOOSE JOY.

Choose Joy

Zussel the Mussel lives in a lake with his friends, Queenie, Bluegill, Brooks, Lakes, and more. But the waters where they live are getting pretty murky lately—and as they come to discover, their oceanic friends are faring no better. They need to stop the pollution that keeps pouring into their homes and infecting their populations. But what are a mollusk and his aquatic friends to do?

When Zussel grabs the attention of the lovely human Zoe—whom he befriends but wishes they could be more—he explains what he and his friends are up against, and she becomes determined to help Zussel and his ragtag gang of sea creatures with their mission.  Lucky for them, Zoe has friends in all the right places, including a powerful Washington senator who joins in their crusade. 

Does a mussel really have the muscle to make an impact? He sure does if he’s Zussel! 

This musical is intended for children, but it will delight audiences of all ages with its colorful cast of characters, vibrant musical numbers, and important message of getting proactive to protect the planet—something that even the smallest among us can do. All it takes is to come out of your shell. Then you can do a little convincing with a whole lot of heart!

pfohlcochise