Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Dies at 57 in North Carolina Plane Crash

Brett James, the Grammy-winning country songwriter behind hits such as “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “When the Sun Goes Down,” died Thursday in a plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina. He was 57.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field around 3 p.m. local time with three people on board. Authorities confirmed that James, whose legal name was Brett James Cornelius, was among the victims. It remains unclear if he was piloting the aircraft. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the accident.

James’ career spanned more than two decades, during which he penned over 500 songs recorded by stars including Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and Meghan Trainor. His breakthrough came in 2001 when Jessica Andrews’ recording of “Who I Am” topped the country charts. He went on to co-write multiple No. 1 hits, with “Jesus, Take the Wheel” earning Underwood a Grammy and becoming one of the defining songs of modern country music.

Carrie Underwood paid an emotional tribute, calling James’ death “unfathomable.” She recalled his humor, their songwriting sessions, and their shared faith, noting: “My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones about Jesus, because the feelings behind them are so pure. I won’t ever sing them again without thinking of him.”

James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. The organization described him as “a beloved member whose work shaped the sound of country music.”

Born in Oklahoma City, James left medical school to pursue music in Nashville, where he quickly rose to become one of the most influential and respected songwriters in the industry. In 2020, he also released his own album, showcasing his versatility as both writer and performer.

Country star Jason Aldean honored James during a Thursday night concert in Nebraska, dedicating one of his career-defining songs written by James: “Tonight we want to send this out to our friend that we lost — our boy, Mr. Brett James.”