Grammy-winning country songwriter Brett James died Thursday in a small-engine plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina, at age 57. The Cirrus SR22T, registered to James, went down around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday near Iotla Valley Elementary School after departing from Nashville, authorities said. Three people were on board, and investigators would determine the cause of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board would investigate, with the NTSB taking the lead on the inquiry and providing updates as the investigation progresses. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed James’s death, noting he was a 2020 inductee and a prolific songwriter whose catalog includes Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down.”
James’s career spanned more than two decades, during which he wrote 27 No. 1 songs and earned a Grammy Award for “Jesus Take the Wheel” in 2007. In addition to Underwood and Chesney, his collaborations extended to Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean and others, cementing a role as one of country music’s most enduring behind-the-scenes talents. He also served as a guiding presence for younger writers and performers through various collaborations and publishing ventures.
The two other people aboard the plane were James’s wife, Melody Carole Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28. Meryl had celebrated her birthday just one day before the crash, posting messages online about family, joy and gratitude. The Daily Mail reported the identities of the passengers, and law enforcement confirmed the number of individuals on board. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office said students and staff at Iotla Valley Elementary School were safe following the accident, which occurred on property neighboring the school.
James is survived by four adult children, whom he shared with his first wife, Sandra Cornelius-Little. His body of work includes collaborations on some of country music’s most beloved anthems, and his influence extended across generations of artists who worked with him in the studio and on stages across Nashville and beyond.
Carrie Underwood posted a heartfelt tribute, calling James a “good guy” and recalling their writing sessions and shared performances. “Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words,” she wrote on social media. She recalled his warmth, his distinctive style, and the strong moral core he brought to songwriting, noting that songs he co-wrote with her will forever remind listeners of his faith and character.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame released a statement mourning the loss of a member whose impact extended well beyond the stage. The organization noted James’s 2020 induction and his contributions to the country music canon, emphasizing the collaborative spirit he embodied in Nashville’s songwriting community.
This is a developing story, and authorities said additional updates would follow as investigators assess the scene and gather information from witnesses and air-traffic records. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the formal investigation, with local authorities coordinating on scene safety and response.