Brett James, 57, the prolific songwriter who co-wrote Carrie Underwood's Grammy-winning Jesus, Take the Wheel, was killed Thursday in a plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina. Authorities said James was one of three people aboard a Cirrus SR22T when it went down near a school at about 3 p.m., and all three occupants died at the scene.
Underwood, who has collaborated with James for years, posted a lengthy tribute on social media Friday, describing him as “the epitome of cool” and recalling moments from their writing sessions. She wrote: “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 recalled a session in which James, who had essentially written 75% of a song, insisted that credit be shared equally, saying that would be the right thing to do because of his work. She also spoke of his faith, noting that “Brett loved the Lord” and that they had sung together at church.
In her message, Underwood said she would not sing their Jesus-centered songs the same way again without thinking of him, adding, “My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure.” She urged fans to pray for his family and friends and for all who knew him, concluding with, “Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
James went down in the Cirrus SR22T while flying near a school in Franklin, North Carolina, authorities said. The two other passengers who died were identified as Melody Wilson, 59, and her daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28. They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to local reports.
James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, a recognition of his influence within the country-music community. Beyond Jesus, Take the Wheel, he contributed to a range of hits and was a longtime collaborator with Underwood, including performances and songwriting partnerships that helped shape his career and the sound associated with the smash-hit early-2000s era of contemporary country music.
The songwriter’s death drew condolences from industry colleagues and fans who highlighted his generosity and the breadth of his work. In a statement, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame noted James’s enduring impact on the craft, underscoring the sense of loss felt across the music community. As Underwood’s tribute illustrated, his work resonated with listeners and fellow writers alike, and his influence will be remembered through the songs that remain in rotation on country radio and among fans around the world.