A plane crash that killed prolific Nashville songwriter Brett James on September 18, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the music industry. The 57-year-old Grammy winner penned dozens of chart-topping tunes, including Carrie Underwood’s first No. 1 hit after her 2005 “American Idol” win, “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
A private plane registered to James crashed near an elementary school in Franklin, North Carolina, at 3 p.m. local time, according to Nashville’s WZTV. James was later identified as one of three people on board, all of whom perished in the crash, per the outlet.
Carrie Underwood Called Brett James an ‘All-Around Great Person’ at His Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction
Over 500 songs written by James — including 27 number one hits — have been recorded by some of the biggest stars in music, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI). Among the artists who’ve recorded his songs, per the NSAI, are Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Colbie Caillat, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Leona Lewis, Daughtry, and The Fray.
James won the 2006 Song of the Year Grammy for “Jesus Take The Wheel” and, according to the NSAI, he earned more than 40 ASCAP hit song awards during his career, spanning across country, pop, Latin, and Christian genres.
Hours after his death, the NSAI posted on social media, “The NSAI family is stunned by the death of board member and legendary songwriter Brett James. The loss is profound.”
When James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in November 2021, Underwood surprised him at the ceremony to sing “Jesus Take The Wheel,” per Music Mayhem Magazine. James called his induction “the greatest honor of my life” and Underwood paid tribute to him on social media.
Underwood wrote at the time, “Congrats to my friend @brettjamessongs on being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame! We’ve spent a lot of time together and written a lot of songs together, and not only are you an incredible songwriter, but you are also an all-around great person. I can think of no one more deserving! Thank you for allowing us to celebrate you!”
Stars Pay Tribute to Brett James: ‘Absolutely Devastated’
As news of James’ tragic death spread within the music industry on September 18, tributes began to roll in from shocked stars and colleagues. Dierks Bentley wrote on Instagram about collaborating with James on his 2013 hit “I Hold On,” writing, “Our friendship and that song changed my life. 💔”
Country star Sara Evans wrote on Instagram, “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. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed. 💔”
Seeing Evans’ post, singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw responded, “Oh no. How did this happen? One of the great ones.”
Josh Gracin, who placed fourth on “American Idol” in 2003, wrote that he was lucky enough to collaborate with James around that time, “I was struggling to connect with the songs being pitched for my first record until I was introduced to Brett’s writing. I went on to cut five of his songs for that debut album, and he quickly transcended far beyond where we both started.”
Gracin continued, “We later teamed up again for the second record. Not only did he produce half of it, but he also co-wrote four of the songs that made the album. His belief in me and the songs he allowed me to record helped carve out a space for me in country music. This is a tragic loss for his family and for the entire country music community.”
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