Brett James obit

BREAKING: Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Dies in Tragic Plane Crash at 57

James was a co-writer on Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

 He was not on the list.

Grammy-winning songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Brett James has died in a tragic plane crash, according to multiple sources.

According to WLOS, a small plane went down in Macon County near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 18. Authorities confirmed that none of the three passengers on board survived. The FAA reports that the aircraft was registered to Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, Tennessee.

Records show that the plane had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville before the crash.

Brett James was born on June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri. He initially intended to pursue a medical degree, but midway through medical school, he left college to follow his passion for music. He was signed to Arista Nashville’s imprint Career Records as a solo artist and released his solo album in 1995.

He found great success as a songwriter and is credited for writing hundreds of songs, including major cuts by Carrie Underwood (“Jesus, Take The Wheel”, “Cowboy Casanova”), “Kenny Chesney (“When The Sun Goes Down”, “Out Last Night,” “Keg In the Closet”), Dierks Bentley (“I Hold On”), Jason Aldean (“The Truth”), and Rascal Flatts (“Summer Nights”).

A post shared by Nashville Songwriters HOF (@nashof_official)

He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. That night, Carrie Underwood, Gordie Sampson and Hillary Lindsey took the stage to honor him with a touching performance of “Jesus Take the Wheel” which earned the 2006 GRAMMY for Best Country Song and 2005 ACM Single of the Year trophy.

He called his induction “truly the greatest honor of my life.” 

As news of his tragic passing spread, artists and friends began sharing heartfelt condolences on social media, with Sara Evans among the first to post.

“I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.”

A post shared by Sara Evans (@saraevansmusic)

Chris Blair, owner of Nashville’s The Listening Room Cafe, shared the heartbreaking news, admitting “Nashville won’t be same without you in it, Brett James.”

Fellow songwriter Jessi Alexander shared, “So many fun nights on stage we shared and memories we made traveling around making music together. He lived large and always made me feel special. Music Row will never be the same.”

Brett James was a beloved member of the Nashville music community, and his passing is a tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who loved him.