Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Dies in North Carolina Plane Crash

Lead Grammy-winning country songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “When the Sun Goes Down,” died in a small-plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon.

Nut Graf James’s sudden passing at age 57 has reverberated across Music Row and beyond, as he wrote more than 500 songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift and dozens of other top artists. His death underscores the loss of one of Nashville’s most prolific and influential songwriters.

Main Part

Crash Details The Cirrus SR22T carrying James crashed into a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School at approximately 3 p.m. local time on September 18, after departing Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport. All three occupants on board were killed. Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators have launched an inquiry into the cause.

Career Highlights

  • Co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s Grammy-winning single “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which earned Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance honors in 2006.
  • Authored number-one hits including Jessica Andrews’s “Who I Am,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” Rodney Atkins’s “It’s America,” and Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On.”
  • Collaborated with pop and rock acts such as Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson and the Backstreet Boys, showcasing his versatility across genres.

Industry Reaction Fellow artists and industry organizations flooded social media with tributes:

  • Carrie Underwood called his passing “unfathomable,” recalling the “authentic and sincere” emotions behind their collaborations.
  • Dierks Bentley lauded James as “a remarkable talent…one of the best singer-songwriters in our community.”
  • The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, which inducted James in 2020, mourned the loss of “a songwriting force of nature” and a generous mentor.

Legacy and Community Impact James’s songs have sold more than 110 million album copies worldwide and earned 27 chart-topping singles. As owner of Cornman Music and a board member of the Country Music Association, he championed fellow songwriters and nurtured emerging talent through songwriting rounds and mentorship programs. His absence leaves a void in Nashville’s creative community.

Subheading: Next Steps

  • NTSB to release preliminary crash findings in the coming weeks.
  • Memorial service details expected soon from James’s family.
  • Industry-wide tributes planned at upcoming CMA and ACM events.