The Eye Of Media

By James Simmons-

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James has tragically died. The 57-year-old musician was killed in a small plane crash in North Carolina on September 18. Officials confirmed all three people on board the aircraft perished in the incident. A long-time figure in Nashville’s music scene, James was the acclaimed writer behind many number-one country hits. He was famously known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Tributes from across the music industry are pouring in as friends and colleagues mourn his loss.

Brett James in Los Angeles in 2012. Pic: AP

Details from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicate the single-engine Cirrus SR22T aircraft came down in a field near Franklin, North Carolina. Flight data shows the plane departed from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport earlier that day. Authorities confirmed the plane was registered in James’s legal name, Brett James Cornelius. The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway. While the incident happened next to an elementary school, officials confirmed no students or staff were injured.

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The Legacy of Brett James Plane Crash

The Brett James plane crash has left a profound void in the country music community. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, James penned more than 300 songs for major labels. His extensive list of songwriting credits includes artists such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Jason Aldean. He also won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2007 for his work on “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Country singer Dierks Bentley shared a heartfelt tribute, praising James as a “total stud” and a “legend.” The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame said they “mourn the untimely loss” of their esteemed member. This tragic accident cuts short a prolific career that shaped modern country music.