Dunwoody musician s career

on the rise

DeKalb Neighbor Staff Writer

Music has been a part of Dunwoody resident Nick Edelstein's life since he took up piano at the age of four. After mastering the ivories, he went on to add vocals, trombone and guitar to his repertoire.

Now with an album in the works and countless live performances under his belt, the 23-year-old has made music into a career.

"I'm very tactile," Edelstein said. "I like being able to hold a guitar and have expression come out through my fingers. It's so comfortable, being able to express what I'm feeling without trying to say it."

Edelstein has been expressing himself through music his whole life in DeKalb County. He was the drum major of Dunwoody High School's marching band as well as part of the DeKalb Youth Symphony for four years.

He said his guitar-playing influences include Carlos Santana, Chuck Berry and Brian May from Queen.

"I do love the blues, also," he said.

Edelstein has played the blues, country, and rock and roll with several bands over the years. "I was a hired gun," he said. "Some of the bands were successful, and some weren't."

Now Edelstein is a solo act. "I just felt like it was time to come out and record and get some opinions," he said. "When people liked it I thought that's what I need to do. It had been sitting in the back of my mind for a while.

He recorded his album, "Ripple," at Lakefront Studios in Conyers. It is in post-production.

"It has to be mixed, mastered and manufactured," Edelstein said. "A portion of all proceeds from the CD will go to the World Wildlife Fund."

Edelstein hopes his CD will be released in February.

The album's single, titled "What You Deserve," has gotten radio airplay on a station in Richmond, Va.

Edelstein's Web site, www.nickedelstein.com, has a list of tour dates. His next gig will be at Jake's Toadhouse on Jan. 21 in Decatur.