The country music world is in mourning after the death of Brett James, one of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters, who was killed Thursday in a plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina. He was 57.
James, who penned Carrie Underwood’s Grammy-winning hit “Jesus Take the Wheel” and more than two dozen chart-topping singles, was one of three people aboard a single-engine Cirrus SR22T that went down in a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School, authorities confirmed. All on board perished in the crash, though no students or staff were harmed.
The flight had departed earlier from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, en route to North Carolina, when tragedy struck near Macon County Airport. Images from the crash site showed wreckage scattered near the school, sparking initial fears for students’ safety before officials confirmed the campus was untouched.
Born in Missouri and raised in Oklahoma, James became one of country music’s most prolific hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. His songwriting credits include Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up,” Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights,” Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On,” and numerous tracks recorded by Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Tim McGraw. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
In total, James wrote 27 No. 1 hits on country radio, earning a reputation as a powerhouse lyricist who could weave raw emotion into mainstream success. His signature achievement came with Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel,” which won Best Country Song at the 2007 Grammy Awards and earned a nomination for Song of the Year.
Country star Dierks Bentley, who co-wrote “I Hold On” with James in the wake of his father’s death, paid a heartfelt tribute Thursday night.
“Rest in peace pal,” Bentley wrote on Instagram. “Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town … total legend. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. Our friendship and that song changed my life.”
Carrie Underwood has yet to comment publicly, but her team has described James as a cornerstone of her early career, helping her craft a sound that bridged country and crossover pop.
In addition to his Grammy win, James was a fixture in Nashville’s tight-knit community of writers, known for his mentorship, his wit, and his passion for both music and aviation. Fellow artists recalled his generosity with younger musicians and his knack for turning rough ideas into timeless choruses.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred under clear skies just outside the Macon County Airport. Officials have not released the names of the other two victims.
James leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern country music and inspired a generation of artists. From heartfelt ballads to anthemic stadium hits, his songs carried voices across genres and touched millions.
As news spread, tributes poured in across social media, with fans, artists, and industry leaders remembering him as not just a writer of hits but a man whose lyrics carried faith, grief, and love into the hearts of listeners.
“Brett James was a total legend,” Bentley said. “But more than that, he was my friend. And I’ll miss him every day.”
