September 19, (THEWILL) — Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter Brett James has died in a plane crash at the age of 57, music industry officials confirmed.
The crash occurred on Thursday, September 18, when a small aircraft registered in James’s name went down near Franklin, North Carolina, killing all three people on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.
James, inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, was best known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s hit song “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which won two Grammy Awards in 2007.
Over the course of his career, he collaborated with some of country music’s biggest stars, including Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Martina McBride.
Tributes have poured in since news of his death broke.
The Nashville Songwriters Association International hailed him as a “legendary songwriter and board member,” while the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) described him as “a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names and a true advocate for songwriters.”
James leaves behind a remarkable legacy of timeless songs that shaped country music and continue to inspire generations of artists.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
