Elbert West

Who is Elbert West?

Elbert Lee West is an American country music artist. Initially a session songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, West saw his first chart success in the 1990s as a co-writer on singles for country singer Tracy Lawrence, including the Number Ones "Sticks and Stones" and "Can't Break It to My Heart". West also co-wrote album tracks for other artists, including tracks for Tim McGraw and John Michael Montgomery.

By 2001, West had signed to Broken Bow Records, then a newly formed independent label, and his debut album, Livin' the Life, was released that year. West co-wrote ten of the album's thirteen tracks, while others — including " Leave a Mark", previously recorded by John Michael Montgomery — were co-written by Randy Archer and Johnny Park, formerly of the duo Archer/Park. Lead-off single "Diddley", which peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. "Diddley" was also made into a music video, which aired on CMT. Erik Hage of Allmusic gave the album four stars out of five, saying, "West has a big, husky baritone, a keen songwriting ability, a defiant attitude, and is a major country talent."