Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brett James (57) dies in plane crash
**Grammy-Winning Singer-Songwriter Brett James Dies in Plane Crash**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | September 19, 2025, 1:37 PM*
Brett James, a celebrated American country music singer-songwriter and record producer, has tragically died in a plane crash in North Carolina. He was 57 years old. The news of his untimely passing has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry, with fans and fellow musicians alike mourning the loss of the talented artist.
**Details of the Crash**
James was one of three people on board a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that crashed in a field near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3:00 PM local time on Thursday. The plane had departed from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport and went down close to Iotla Valley Elementary School, near Macon County Airport, surrounded by open fields.
**A Prolific Songwriting Career**
Brett James was a prolific songwriter responsible for some of the biggest hits in country and pop music. He penned tracks for acclaimed artists such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Brantley Gilbert, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Bon Jovi, and Kenny Chesney.
One of his most notable works is Underwood’s 2006 chart-topper *Jesus Take the Wheel*, which earned Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 49th Grammy Awards in 2007.
**Personal Tributes**
Dierks Bentley, who collaborated with James on his 2013 hit *I Hold On*, paid tribute to the late songwriter. Bentley described him as “a total legend” and shared how James helped him shape the song’s chorus following his father’s death.
“The chorus is all him. Our friendship and that song changed my life. Prayers for his family,” Bentley wrote on social media.
**Career Overview**
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Brett James attended music school in the early 1990s but chose to drop out to pursue a career in music. He released his self-titled debut album in 1995, which featured charting singles such as *Female Bonding*, *If I Could See Love*, and *Worth the Fall*.
Since the early 2000s, James gained recognition primarily as a songwriter for other country and pop artists, leaving a lasting legacy in the music industry.
—
The music world mourns the loss of Brett James, whose contributions shaped the sound of modern country music for decades. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/songwriter-brett-james-dies-in-plane-crash-at-57/story
You may also like
Leave a Reply