Music fans are reeling from the news that talented Nashville songwriter Brett James, known for writing Carrie Underwood‘s first post-“American Idol” smash “Jesus Take the Wheel,” among other hits, died in a small plane crash on September 18, 2025.
People says the crash happened in North Carolina and left no survivors. According to the New York Post, James was flying with “his new wife and her 28-year-old daughter,” Melody Wilson and Meryl Maxwell Wilson.
The New York Times reported that the plane was registered to Brett Cornelius, noting that James was born Brett James Cornelius, according to his Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame profile.
Along with being a 2006 Grammy winner, James was a father to four kids. Read on to learn about the family he left behind.
Brett James Had 4 Kids With His 1st Wife
Hello! says James had been married to Sandra Cornelius — now his ex-wife, according to the New York Post — and the couple shared four children: three sons and a daughter. The outlet says the family kept their life relatively private.
The New York Post reported that James had married Melody Wilson in August 2021, according to a post on her Instagram account.
In one of his final Instagram posts, James celebrated Father’s Day by posting a shot of himself with his kids, wife Melody Wilson, and a woman who appears to be Meryl Maxwell Wilson posing with a puppy. “Such an amazing Father’s Day!” he declared.
The Hello! report says James once revealed to American Songwriter that his song “True Believer” held special meaning when it came to his kids. “I sort of loved watching them all cry as they listened to the song. My daughter and I will always have that moment, and we will always have that song,” they say he told the magazine.
James was preceded in death by his father, a physician. The report says the musician initially planned to follow in his father’s career footsteps, but dropped out of the University of Oklahoma medical school in his sophomore year to pursue songwriting after he scored meetings with three major labels. He ultimately signed with Arista.
Fans Send Prayers to Family of Brett James
Fans and admirers flooded James’ social media with well-wishes for his family after his sudden death. One person wrote, “Sending love and comfort to you all during this heartbreaking time. May Brett’s memory live on through his music and your lives. He was an amazing man.”
Another shared the sweet sentiment, “Praying for all of you🙏 May God wrap his arms around all of you and give you peace. May all the great memories you made together give you comfort until you meet again.”
A third fan commented, “Sending love & prayers to Sandra, kids and your whole family 🙏❤️ … pray you all find comfort that Brett will be with us all forever thanks to the gift of his music … we will truly miss you @brettjamessongs 💔” before adding, “Rest in peace.”
