Born and raised in Montville, New Jersey, Michaels started spinning while still studying at Florida Atlantic University. The Hush Lounge (now Scoop) in Boca was his first gig. Then came Lauderdale's Art Bar, where Michaels helped bounce Broward into its dancing shoes before he headed back up to Boca to help launch a college party at Murphy's Downtown. That particular Tuesday-night throwdown exists to this day.
During his studies, Michaels, who boasts some Italian heritage, decided to avail himself of an FAU study-abroad program in Florence. Eventually he'd end up one of the town's most active DJs. It all went down like this: An audition at the club Dolce Zuccherro turned into a three-hour set, and that, in turn, begat a two-night residency. From there, he went on to Central Park, a sprawling spring/summer venue that comes equipped with its own Ferris wheel and a center-city club called Universale.
But after arrivals, soon or later come departures, and after seven months, Michaels made his way back across the pond. This time, Michaels went to the Big Bad Apple, where he landed a spot as an intern at the powerhouse radio station Z100. Soon, he was handling marketing and promotions, and by the end of two years, he found himself spinning Z100's All Access party at the Hammerstein Ballroom, an event that remains a highlight of his DJ life. Having conquered Z100, Michaels moved back down to South Florida and embarked on a similar course with our own Y100. And when the station launched its offshoot, WMIA-FM 93.9, Michaels spun its first live broadcast.
These days, Michaels still handles the odd live action for WMIA as well as the odd event for folks like New Times (see last week's Pairings). And he's also got four residencies in three locations, including Lauderdale's über-hip W Hotel, where he holds court weekly at the Whiskey Blue and Wet. But Michaels is most focused on running a one-stop entertainment company he calls Your DJ, basically a hybrid outfit that includes marketing and promotions, talent and management, event production, and fan services. Currently Michaels customizes music for designer Kariza, who, presumably, shows to a much better beat.
It's little wonder Michaels insists he's building a new empire. Fun and sun may be all well and good, but it's even better when you make it your business.
Dean Michaels' Current Top Five:
1. "No Games" – Serani
2. "Young Forever" – Jay-Z
3. "Million Bucks – Maino
4. "Sex on Fire" – Kings of Leon
5. "Got to Give It Up" – Marvin Gaye