Carrie Underwood on Friday shared an emotional tribute to Brett James, the songwriter behind hits like Jesus, Take the Wheel, after his death Thursday at age 57. The American Idol winner posted a carousel of photos with James and reflected on their creative partnership, describing him as the epitome of cool and a good guy who always seemed to have perfectly coiffed hair even under a motorcycle helmet. The post underscored the deep collaboration between the two and the significance of James in Underwood’s breakout era that began with her 2005 debut album.
The country star wrote that the loss to his family, friends and the music community is “too great to put into words.” She recalled their shared memories and the care James took to ensure equal footing in their work together, noting that he insisted on splitting songwriting credits evenly—even though he did most of the work and wrote about 75 percent of the tracks. “He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy,” Underwood wrote. She added that her comfort during this tragic time comes from knowing James loved the Lord and is now with him. “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. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.”
Her tribute concluded with a personal, hopeful note: “Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
James, a prolific songwriter and producer who collaborated with many country stars, died in a plane crash alongside his wife and stepson. The Cirrus SR22T, a small-engine plane registered to James, went down Thursday afternoon near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, North Carolina, after departing from Nashville a few hours earlier, according to local reports. The crash site is in western North Carolina, where the family had spent time following the birthday celebrations of James’s wife.
Melody Carole Wilson, 59, James’s wife, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, were among those killed. Meryl had celebrated her birthday the day before the crash, with Melody sharing a heartfelt post that read, “Happy Birthday my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma!” on Instagram. Melody and James wed in August 2021, and she later posted a series of photos of Meryl expressing pride and love for her daughter. James also leaves behind four adult children from his first marriage to Sandra Cornelius-Little, according to tributes and family statements.
The Nashville-born songwriter, who also worked with country icons such as Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean, had built a respected career in the music industry through collaborations that helped shape contemporary country. In the days following the crash, colleagues and fans from across the music community shared memories of James’s generosity, humor and dedication to his craft. Although he rarely sought the spotlight, his contributions to modern country music were widely recognized among performers and peers who described him as a generous collaborator who celebrated others’ successes as much as his own.
Meryl Maxwell Wilson’s social media posts, including a note that she had been sober for days, highlighted the human side of the tragedy and the family’s close-knit ties. A number of James’s colleagues and friends posted messages of remembrance, praising his warmth, faith and commitment to his family. The plane crash underscored the fragility of life and the ongoing loss felt by a generation of songwriters who helped define the sound of a genre.
As the community processes the loss, Underwood’s tribute serves as a reminder of the lasting influence James had on her career and on country music more broadly. The artist’s call for prayers for James’s family, friends and all who knew him reflects the close bonds within the Nashville songwriting community and the broad reach of his work across the genre.
