Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter famed for his touching lyrics, including the massive hit Jesus, Take the Wheel sung by Carrie Underwood, tragically passed away in a plane accident on Thursday. According to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he was 57 years old.
The accident involved a small plane that was registered under James’s legal name, Brett Cornelius. It crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, roughly 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m., with reports from flight tracking website FlightAware and statements from the Federal Aviation Administration confirming the incident.
Sadly, all three people aboard the aircraft, including the pilot and two passengers, lost their lives, as indicated by the FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation to determine what caused this tragic event.
The ill-fated plane had taken off from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport and crashed near Iotla Valley Elementary School, where children were inside getting ready to leave for the day, as stated by district spokesperson Renee Burt in a CNN report.
Throughout his career, James collaborated with major music stars such as Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, and Keith Urban. He also co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s hit Out Last Night and was one of the most cherished and sought-after songwriters in the music industry.
Following the news, Sara Evans expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, remembering him as “one of the best writers” she ever worked with. Many of his more than 500 songs lead to albums that collectively sold over 110 million copies, as noted by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. Besides his songwriting achievements, he was the owner of Cornman Music Publishing and played a part on the board of the Country Music Association as well as serving as a national trustee for The Recording Academy, according to the Nashville Symphony.
Mark Ford, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, shared his thoughts, saying, “He was a kind, giving, delightful soul. We join Brett’s family and this entire industry in mourning not just his untimely death but also the myriad of songs he still had left to create many that could have brought smiles, laughter, and tears to us all.”
Late Breakthrough in Music
Interestingly, James didn t start playing guitar until much later in life, well into his studies in pre-med at Baylor University. His breakthrough came when a recording contract from Arista Records rolled in while he was in his first year of medical school at the University of Oklahoma.
Despite an initial struggle for professional success over seven years in Nashville, he returned to his medical studies, only for his songwriting career to unexpectedly take off from a distance. In 2005, when he saw 33 of his songs recorded in just nine months, he decided it was time to give up medicine for good.
His most significant hit, Jesus, Take the Wheel, co-written with Hillary Lindsay and Gordie Sampson, found its way onto Carrie Underwood s debut album while she was riding high from her victory on American Idol.
The song premiered at the CMA Awards and, as James recollects, it transformed into something incredibly special for everyone involved. Initially, it started as just a scribbled title by Sampson without any lyrics, which James helped develop into a profound narrative of faith and redemption following a near-death encounter.
James initially didn’t think much of the song; nevertheless, it turned out to be Underwood’s first chart-topping hit and earned both Underwood and its songwriters Grammys.
Reflecting on the impact of the song, James remarked on how it resonated with many listeners, as he frequently heard stories about them experiencing similar moments while driving. It really struck a chord and I think that’s what made it touch so many lives, he expressed.
Underwood celebrated James’s life and legacy on Instagram, describing him as “the epitome of ‘cool,’” a wonderful man, and someone deeply rooted in faith. She noted that she would forever hold on to the songs they wrote together, and they would always remind her of him.
James’s influence expanded beyond country music; he even contributed to Chicago’s first studio album after a lengthy hiatus, collaborating with band member Jay DeMarcus.
On Instagram, DeMarcus shared his heartbreak over James’s passing, writing, “I have no words for this one. I’m crushed. Brett and I wrote a TON of songs together.”
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers also reflected on James’s remarkable contributions, noting his trustworthiness in collaborating with many of country music’s greatest talents. Country musician Dierks Bentley paid his respects, calling him a “total legend” and a “fellow aviator” on social media.
This is a developing story and will be further updated.
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