Juan Sessoms and Rob Bowser have broken the old adage of mixing business with pleasure. On the road to creating a burgeoning production company, these two best friends are doing what they love and are getting paid for it.

Bowser, a Penn State alumnus now employed as an information systems analyst for the university, and Sessoms, a Penn State student on leave for military duty, began their friendship and love of music while playing for the United Soul Ensemble, a gospel choir.

Their company, Drum.Key Productions, officially started this year, with Sessoms' wife Sonya Sessoms (senior-accounting) serving as business manager.

"My husband lives and dies for the drums," she said. "The two of them mesh perfectly together."

While Juan specializes in percussion, Bowser plays piano, drums and bass. Although he can't read music, Bowser intends to learn how in order to enhance his work.

He usually spends two to three hours a day during the week and five hours a day over the weekend at the studio, sometimes longer if Juan is there.

Bowser began producing in 1999, when he bought his first keyboard. His primary musical influence is the pianist Jon Peters, and his producing influences include Dr. Dre, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Hi-Tek.

Juan's musical influences are quite different: Stevie Wonder, The Roots and the gospel artist James Hall. He really admires Touch of Jazz, a nationally known jazz ensemble.

"Those guys played the same drums I played at the same church," he said. "If they can do it, I can do it. Why not do it with your best friend?"

Drum.Key Productions works with local artists in the genres of gospel, R&B and hip-hop. They're working with the up-and-coming gospel group Sisters of Space, who recently got a record deal.

Another local musician they are producing is Joshua Wright-Hill, also known as "The Truth," who recently signed with Sony Records.

Next year, Drum.Key is planning a Joy Night Service as a part of Late Night Penn State with the Unity Church of Jesus Christ and other campus groups.

"We want to get everybody involved; we just want to praise God," Sonya said. "It's really going to be a multicultural event."

A production deal with Musiq's backup singer, Troy, is also in the works. Sonya said Drum.Key would most likely produce his gospel album.

Bowser said that while he and Juan haven't ruled out making an album of their own in the future, they want to make a name for themselves in the producing business. Their music can be found online at www.mp3.com/drum_key_productions.

"I definitely enjoy just making the music because so much of myself goes into it, but production is part of the game too," Juan said.

"I want people to remember Drum.Key Productions as a family-oriented, friendly, production company that makes great music."