In the late 1970s, Edell worked for an antique auction gallery and also had a jewelry and antique shop of his own in Sacramento, California. To supplement his income he served as medical director of the County Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center in Sacramento, California. A co-worker introduced Edell to the owner of country music station KRAK and suggested Edell try doing a talk show. He did 6 call in-shows for that station in 1978. His radio career began. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980, and currently lives in rural Mendocino County.