Brett James, a Grammy Award-winning country music songwriter, died in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday. The 57-year-old was the writer behind iconic hits such as “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “When the Sun Goes Down.” He was one of three people killed in the single-engine aircraft accident.
The National Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed James’ death, stating he perished in the crash. Authorities have not released detailed information about the incident, as investigations continue.
James was celebrated for crafting some of country music’s most successful songs, including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down.” His work earned him a place in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
“Jesus Take the Wheel,” which won Best Country Song at the 49th Grammy Awards in 2007, became a career-defining track for Underwood and a crossover success. James wrote 27 number-one hits on country radio throughout his career.
Dierks Bentley, who collaborated with James on the 2013 hit “I Hold On,” paid tribute to the songwriter, calling him “a total legend” and praising his talent as a “singer-songwriter in our town.” Bentley noted that James helped refine the concept for “I Hold On,” which was inspired by the death of the singer’s father.