Pauli Carman began his career as a member of the, Illinois, USA, based Champaign. This self-contained pop-funk band came together in 1981 and took their name from their home city. A white instrumental unit fronted by two black vocalists, Champaign was a merger of veterans of previous bands and consisted of Michael Day (guitar, keyboards), Rocky Maffit (drums), Leon Reeder (guitar), Dana Walden (keyboards), Michael Reed (bass), Pauli Carman (vocals) and Rena Jones (vocals). In the UK the group was known only for How 'bout us. Although the group issued three albums before their break-up in 1985, Champaign's success remained only with singles. Following the group's break-up, Carman had a moderately successful solo career, in which he even sung with Karyn White. A reunion of Champaign in 1990 proved short-lived.

	Pauli Carman Dial my number 1986 CBS Mic Murphy & David Frank 3 Pauli Carman Dial my number 1986 CBS Dana Walden 8 Pauli Carman In the heat of the night 1987 Columbia Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken 2 Pauli Carman It's time 1987 Columbia Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken 9