Champaign

Champaign is an American R&B band, best known for their 1981 hit, "How 'Bout Us". The septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, United States, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Leon Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffit on percussion and drums. The title track from their 1981 debut album, "How 'Bout Us," was a hit single, reaching No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart, No. 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Reed had left the group by the release of their second album, Modern Heart, which appeared in 1983 and contained the No. 2 R&B hit "Try Again" (No. 23 on the Hot 100). Another follow-up, 1984's Woman in Flames, included the Top 10 R&B song "Off and On Love". Other songs include "Party People" and "Walkin'". Carman released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986. The title track was an R&B hit, peaking at No. 26. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. It featured the single "In the Heat of the Night", which peaked at No. 72 on the R&B charts. Rena Jones and Michael Day eventually married. In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. In addition to Carman, the album featured contributions/production from Michael Lane (MicoWave), Rena and Michael Day, Dana Walden, and Rocky Maffit. Although the album was not widely successful, it did herald a brief return to the US R&B chart, with the single "Trials of the Heart". Former band member Michael Day died of cancer on June 7, 2001. In 2003, a greatest hits compilation album was released and included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent. By 2008, Pauli Carman, the original lead singer, continued to represent the group. The Carma album, released in 2008, included original songs along with a remake of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" and the Stevie Wonder track "I Love, I Love." In 2010, Get Back 2 Love was released (included a remaster of "How 'Bout Us"). The title track "Get Back 2 Love" made reference to Champaign's top hits. The same year, the single "Mercy" was released (a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit "Mercy Mercy Me"). This single was to assist those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds was donated to various agencies assisting with the clean up and restoration in the area.[citation needed] In November 2010, Carman produced a television pilot of The Pauli Carman Show.[citation needed] On September 15, 2013, Carman was presented the National R&B Music Society 'Unsung Hero Award'. Ruhlmann, William. Champaign Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved May 30, 2026. Larkin, Colin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2 (First ed.). Guinness World Records. p. 451. ISBN 978-0851129396. Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles and Albums (20th revised ed.). Guinness World Records. p. 99. ISBN 978-1904994107. "Pauli Carman Top Songs | Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography". MusicVF.com. Retrieved May 30, 2026. Champaign - Trials of the Heart (Liner notes). Malaco Records. 1991. "In Memory | Mike Day". Bloomington High School | Class Of 1971. Retrieved May 30, 2026.[self-published source] "Past Honorees / Black Tie Galas | 2013 Honorees". The National R&B Music Society. Retrieved May 30, 2026. National R&B Music Society Gala 2013 (video). Champaignband.com. Retrieved May 30, 2026. "Champaign - Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. "CHAMPAIGN". Official Charts. Retrieved May 30, 2026. "Eyes of the Spirit | Champaign / Pauli Carman". Apple Music. 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2026. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 59. ISBN 0646119176. "Champaign | How 'Bout Us | Award Tracker". BPI. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. "Heart - Single | Champaign". Apple Music. 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2026. Champaign at AllMusic Champaign discography at MusicBrainz Champaign at IMDb