Yes, I crashed a wedding in Las Vegas!

Pauli Carman, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist, Crashes A Vegas Wedding!

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Aug. 13, 2008 — Standing at the Wedding Bells Chapel of Las Vegas altar, blissfully looking into one another’s eyes, oblivious to everyone and anything else going on around them, Stacy & David Peters were about to commence with their wedding vows, when an unexpected guest, multi-platinum Pauli Carman, lead singer of R&B group Champaign, suddenly appeared crooning an a cappella rendition of “How ‘Bout Us.”

Filming a music video near the small open-air chapel, over-hearing music from a portable cd player, Carman couldn’t help but respond in the moment. Completely unannounced and without any introductions, the legendary balladeer presented the couple a gift from the heart, with a memory that they could cherish forever.

Champaign burst onto the 1980s music scene with their debut album single “How ‘Bout Us.” The song garnered critical acclaim 23 straight weeks on the Billboard Charts and sold millions of copies worldwide. The band produced several more hits onto the charts until the 1990s, when Carman began to pursue a solo career with the hit song, “Dial My Number.” Today, he is back at work, better than ever, with new material, producing and promoting his newly released album, “Champaign: Carma.”

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Pauli Carman, please call e-mail Johnie at johnietidwell@whitelabelmedia.net

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Hey everyone, just an update on what I’ve been doin’

Hey everyone, just an update on what I’ve been doin’… Those who came downtown to really party found the right place at the corner of Main and Main streets. Decatur native Pauli Carman and his resurrected Champaign band belted out a spirited mixture of golden oldie love songs, funky dance music and a few rap numbers, fronted by a few of his young proteges. Dressed in a royal blue silk kung fu outfit and wearing a trademark broad-brimmed straw hat, Carman’s sexy performance of “Try Again,” Champaign’s megahit of the early 1980s, had the audience swooning and dancing. As the crowd applauded wildly at the end of the song, Carman handed out roses to ladies at the front of the stage. “It’s good to be here, y’all,” Carman called out. “I’m from here.” The crowd, composed of a mix of middle-age folks, who appeared dazed during the rap songs, and some young people, who were animated by them, seemed satisfied at the apparent end of the set. But Carman, who must have known there were some hard-core Champaign fans out there, asked if they wanted to hear one more. Shouts of “How ‘Bout Us” came from various points on the street, leading to a thrilling conclusion, with Carman and his eight-piece band pouring their hearts and souls into the hit that propelled the Central Illinois group into national prominence. Nora Taylor, who grew up hearing Carman sing in their neighborhood, caught a rose he threw to the crowd. She was wearing a 5,000-watt smile after the show. “I remember when he first made ‘How ‘Bout Us,’ ” said Taylor, who was glad she got the weekend off specially to see this show. “It’s good to know someone from Decatur is still going strong and doing great. I’m proud of him.” Taylor added that she appreciates that Carman is just as down to earth as he ever was, despite his years of musical success. Phil Vinson, a DJ who plays Champaign songs at weddings and school dances, said the group still sounds great. His wife, Laura, who was dancing to the music, said, “I love that song (‘How ‘Bout Us’). It brings back memories.” Carman, who still has two brothers in Decatur, grew up in a family of seven boys and three girls, at 1021 S. Main St., near the lake. “We were poor, but we were happy,” Carman said, adding that everyone in his family sang, played an instrument or danced. The only member of the original band, Carman recently has assembled a group of top-notch professionals to work as Champaign, including Sam Hankins, a horn player who has backed up James Brown and Aretha Franklin. Carman, who released a CD, “Champaign,” with his new band, is taking a break from his day job, working with developmentally disabled people in Champaign. He has a song named after his old Decatur home address on his CD. “I get a lot of rewards out of that myself,” Carman said. “It’s all about giving back.” Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985. For sneak video on this check out:   www.paulichampaign.com

Article from H&R – Pauli Carman sharing stage…

Pauli Carman sharing stage upon return to Celebration: Article

Pauli Carman sharing stage upon return to Celebration

By ALICIA SPATES H&R Staff Writer 

Don’t be too confused on the opening night of Decatur Celebration if you find three young men rapping on the Goodtimes Stage.

Rhythm and blues artist Pauli Carman of the band Champaign is sharing his spotlight with new talent who are under his label, PDC Entertainment.

Kalizion (pronounced Ka-lee-zee-on), Genesis Luster and Trent Washington will be the opening acts Aug. 1 for Carman and Champaign.

“They have a freshness in their music capabilities that they bring to the music industry, as opposed to what they call me – old school,” Carman said with a laugh. “Each one is talented in their own right.”

Carman, formerly of Decatur, said he is looking for more artists to add to his label.

“It’s a giving back of sorts,” he said. “I am so blessed from my music career. It makes me feel good to be able to do that.”

Carman is the only original member left with the 1980s band Champaign, even after leaving for a brief solo career in the mid-’80s. Champaign, named for the group’s hometown, was widely popular for the 1981 hit single “How ‘Bout Us.”

Today, the band’s lineup is Sandy Phillips (background vocals), Justin Phillips (drums), Chris Courtney (bass), Mike Weeks (guitar) and Sam Hankins, Mark Cornel and Kelly Corbin (horns), with Carman as lead vocalist and songwriter.

Champaign recently released the album “Carma,” which is available on Carman’s Web site.

Carman described the nalbum as eclectic and including “all of the elements of (the former) Champaign” and more.

“We got pigeonholed into a ballads band,” Carman said, “but we had this funky side, too. This album shows that funkiness we had in us.”

He added, “The soulfulness of music has been overlooked in the industry today. ? This is good music the way it used to be.”

Producing and promoting the album has kept Carman busy. So has his filming of a reality television show that is “sort of a day in the life kind of thing,” he said.

“I don’t talk much about it now, as its still being developed.”

Carman is responsible for writing the Decatur Celebration theme song, which was recorded by Carman and the Decatur Park Singers in 1986 under the direction of Orv Graham, said Decatur Celebration media relations manager Ayn Owens.

“We use it as our hold music” when people call the Celebration office, she said.

Carman recalled being pleasantly shocked and honored to hear the song he wrote years ago playing over the phone when he called their office.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been back,” he said, and he hopes to catch up with family and friends while he’s here. “I’m looking forward to coming back home to perform.”