The music world is mourning the sudden loss of Brett James, the Grammy-winning Nashville singer-songwriter whose pen gave life to many of country music’s most beloved hits. James, 57, died tragically on September 18, 2025, when a small-engine plane registered under his legal name, Brett Cornelius, crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina. The crash, which occurred around 3 p.m. local time, claimed the lives of all three people onboard and sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Nashville songwriting community and beyond.
The accident happened just west of Iotla Valley Elementary School, but, as reported by CNN and local authorities, no students or staff were injured. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office quickly reassured the public via Facebook: “The students, and staff are safe. There was an airplane accident on the neighboring property. Again all students and staff are safe.” The plane, a Cirrus SR22T, had departed earlier that day from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, carrying James and two women, Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson, according to NBC News. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.
For those who knew Brett James, the news was almost too much to bear. Carrie Underwood, whose career was forever changed by her collaboration with James, shared a deeply personal tribute on Instagram. “Some things are just unfathomable,” she wrote. “The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words.” Underwood, reflecting on their creative partnership, described James as “the epitome of cool” and a “good guy” who always insisted on fairness. She recounted, “I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room. We filled in the blanks and added a little melody and I told him after that I didn’t feel right splitting the credit evenly when he did most of the work. He wouldn’t have it. He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy.”
James’ songwriting career reads like a greatest hits compilation for the last two decades of country music. He co-wrote “Jesus, Take the Wheel” with Hillary Lindsay and Gordie Sampson, a song that became Carrie Underwood’s first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in early 2006, spending six weeks at the top. The track also crossed over to the pop Top 20 and won two Grammys, including Best Country Song—a win James shared with his co-writers. It was nominated for Song of the Year as well, cementing its place in musical history.
But “Jesus, Take the Wheel” was just one of many hits in James’ vast catalog. He wrote or co-wrote “Blessed” by Martina McBride, “When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” and Scotty McCreery’s debut single “I Love You This Big.” His reach extended beyond country, too: Taylor Swift recorded “A Perfectly Good Heart,” co-written by James, for her debut 2006 album, and he also worked with megastars like Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, and Chicago. According to the Nashville Songwriters Association International, more than 500 songs bearing James’ name have appeared on albums with combined sales exceeding 110 million copies.
James’ path to songwriting stardom was anything but conventional. As reported by CNN and The Tennessean, he didn’t even pick up a guitar until his pre-med days at Baylor University. He was in his first year of medical school at the University of Oklahoma when a recording contract from Arista Records lured him to Nashville. After seven challenging years with limited success, James returned to medical school, only to witness his songwriting career take off from afar. “I’d had two recorded in the previous seven years, so 33 in a nine-month period was a pretty good run,” he recalled. That surge convinced him to leave medicine behind for good.
His big break came in 2005, when “Jesus, Take the Wheel” landed on Carrie Underwood’s debut album, following her American Idol win. The song’s story—a woman recommitting to her faith after a near-death experience—resonated deeply with listeners. James himself was initially unsure about the song’s potential, telling The Tennessean, “I didn’t think that much of the song at first, but it became Underwood’s first number one country single and earned Grammys for both Underwood and the songwriters.” He added, “I tell you what’s crazy is how many people have that story of driving in a car and almost crashing, or feeling like they were pulled out by an angel. I’ve heard that story multiple times, like, ‘I had that happen to me.’ It’s interesting that it really touched a nerve.”
Tributes poured in from across the music industry. Country superstar Dierks Bentley, who co-wrote “I Hold On” with James, posted, “Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town…total legend.” Sara Evans, whose song “Cheatin’” was written by James and reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country chart in 2006, wrote, “I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs, Brett James.” 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 his fellow songwriters.”
James’ influence extended beyond writing. He owned the publishing company Cornman Music, served on the board of the Country Music Association, and was a national trustee of The Recording Academy. In 2020, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact and legacy. Taylor Swift, among others, benefited from his mentorship and songwriting acumen early in her career.
Born June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, James is survived by his wife, Sandra Cornelius, and their four children. Underwood captured the sentiment of many as she closed her tribute: “Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.” She asked fans to pray for James’ family, adding, “Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
As the investigation into the crash continues, the music world reflects on a legacy marked by generosity, faith, and a seemingly endless well of creativity. Brett James’ songs will no doubt echo for generations, a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to the world.
