Get The Winning 'Grammy' Touch At Pearl Sounds In Canton

CANTON (WWJ) - The Grammy is the most important award for any singer and when those singers want to sparkle, they go to Canton.

WWJ's Kathryn Larson has more on the hidden gem right here in Metro Detroit that gets national attention all the time.

Chuck Alkazian, owner of Pearl Sound Studios, is known as the man with the "Grammy" touch.

"I make people excited about actual performances, actual singing," he said.

Alkazian knows talent, like West Bloomfield native Sam K., who sang the classic Elton John hit "Your Song" in honor of The Grammy Awards.

For years, Alkazian has worked with some of the finest at his Canton studio, including Madonna and lots of Detroit music makers.

"This room has hosted people from Anita Baker, Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder, all the Detroit greats, a lot of Motown artists."

Alkazian said it's the voice that wins the Grammy, although a good producer can make a big difference.

"That's actually 90 percent of the job is someone brings you a fabulous song and you re-tool it. I call it trimming the fat."

He said right now in music, there's a shift back toward the basics.

"The more simple, the more organic, the more passionate and loving that someone can be with their music, I think people just eat that right up."

This year, Alkazian voted for Adele and The Foo Fighters. He said it will be those voices that resonate in 2012.

Web Extra: Watch the full duet of Kathryn singing with Sam Kay.