Grammy-winner Brett James dies in plane crash aged 57

Posted On September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, best known for his work on Carrie Underwood’s hit ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’, has died in a plane crash aged 57.

The tragic incident took place in a field in North Carolina. The plane, which was registered under his name, departed from Nashville on September 18th, but, unfortunately, never made it to safety.

An official investigation will be launched into the crash, which left two others dead. Metro shared: “A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 18. Three people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.”

Nashville Songwriters Association International was quick to mourn his passing, writing that they were “stunned by the death of board member and legendary songwriter”. Soon after, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame added to the tributes, writing: “We mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James, a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on September 18th.”

James had credits on many hit singles. He first released a solo album in 1995, after which he began writing songs for other names in the scene, such as Jessica Andrews, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Kenny Chesney. His first number one hit was with Jessica Andrews, on the track ‘Who I Am’.

James previously expressed his astonishment that ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ won ‘Best Country Song’ at the Grammys. In 2011, he shared with Songwriter Universe, “At the time we didn’t know it would be a hit. But it turned out to be the right song for the right artist.”

He went to write over 300 songs for major labels, including Taylor Swift’s ‘A Perfectly Good Heart’, Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Mr Know It All’, and ‘Here I Am’ for Leona Lewis. Brett was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010. He released a new self-written album titled I Am Now in 2020.

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