Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Dies in Small Plane Crash

Franklin, North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2025 - Brett James, the 57-year-old Grammy-winning songwriter behind Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” was killed Thursday afternoon when the Cirrus SR22T small aircraft registered under his legal name, Brett James Cornelius, crashed into a field near Franklin, North Carolina, claiming the lives of all three on board.

A celebrated figure in country music with over 500 songwriting credits, James’s unexpected death has left the industry reeling.

Crash Details

• The single-engine plane departed John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at approximately 12:41 p.m. local time and went down around 3 p.m. in a field adjacent to Iotla Valley Elementary School.
• Alongside James were his wife, Melody Carole Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, both of whom also perished.
• No injuries were reported at the nearby school, and local authorities secured the site.

Investigation Underway

• The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crash and reported no survivors.
• The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Career Highlights and Tributes

• Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, James penned chart-topping hits for artists including Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean.
• His co-written anthem “Jesus, Take the Wheel” won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 and propelled Underwood to stardom.
• Fellow artists mourned his passing: Sara Evans called him “one of the finest writers I’ve ever collaborated with,” and Dierks Bentley remembered him as “a remarkable talent, a fellow pilot, and a true legend”.

The music community continues to share memories of James’s generosity, creativity and enduring impact on country music. The NTSB investigation remains ongoing, with updates expected in the coming weeks.