Before Michaels joined then-ABC Radio Networks as the PD and midday personality for "Oldies Radio", he had a three-decade-long career in radio. It took him from Fresno (night jock at KMAK in 1968) to markets such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tampa, Boston, Memphis, Hartford and St. Louis, at KLOU. Citadel Media President John Rosso calls Dave Michaels "the consummate broadcaster and wonderful friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him." He led the evolution of ABC's "Oldies Radio" format into classic hits, which the company says is now "one of the most successful of Citadel Media's eight 24-hour formats."