Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brett James best known for writing the Carrie Underwood song Jesus, Take the Wheel lost his life in a plane crash aged 57.
According to reports, James, along with his wife and daughter, was on a single-engine Cirrus SR22T when it went down “under unknown circumstances in a wooded area,” BBC reported.
The plane took off from an airport in Nashville and crashed near Macon County Airport.
Underwood, who Brett James worked with on some of her best-known songs, called his death “just unfathomable.”
Their song Jesus, Take the Wheel, earned James a Grammy award. It was also nominated song of the year and marked both his and Underwood’s careers.
“Brett was the epitome of ‘cool’,” Underwood said. “My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him. Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away.”
Over the years, James worked with a number of renowned singers, including Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, and Jason Aldean.
Speaking of James’ tragic passing, Aldean, who recorded The Truth, written by James, said he was “heartbroken.”
“I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family,” Aldean said.
Months before the tragic plane crash, James shared a photo of him and his family with the caption, “Such an amazing Father’s Day!!”
The family celebrated their daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson’s 28th birthday just days before the crash that claimed their lives.
“Happy Birthday my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma!” James’ wife Melody wrote on Instagram.
“You’re the MOST BEAUTIFUL AMAZING HUMAN inside and out! I’m humbled and grateful everyday for your shining presence in my life! God has already used you for His Kingdom in so many ways and so much more to come! No words can express what a gift you are to me and everyone that KNOWS YOU❤️😘🎂🎉”
Among those who paid tribute to the late singer-songwriter was Paul Williams, president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), who dubbed James as “a songwriting force of nature.”
Speaking of his collaborations with James, Dierks Bentley wrote, “Our friendship and that song changed my life. I Hold On.”
Tim McGraw wrote, “So heartbroken to hear about the passing of Brett James. Brett was one of the most talented and most respected songwriters in Nashville and wrote some of my personal favorite songs I ever recorded, Telluride and Drugs or Jesus. Our family’s hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him.”
James is survived by his other children whom he shares with ex-wife Sandra Cornelius-Little.
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