Country Music World in Mourning as Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Feared Dead in Devastating Plane Crash
- Brett James, writer of iconic hits like ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ and ‘I Hold On’, is believed to have perished in a light aircraft crash in North Carolina
- The US National Transport Safety Board is investigating the incident, which occurrence near an elementary school
- Tributes have poured in from country music stars, including Dierks Bentley, who hailed James as “one of the best singer-songwriters in our town”
Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind some of country music’s most beloved hits, is feared dead after a devastating plane crash in North Carolina. The US National Transport Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred near an elementary school and claimed the lives of three people.
Although authorities have yet to officially confirm James’ identity, pictures from the scene broadcast by local TV stations showed the plane’s tail registration number N218VB, which matches the registration number of a plane owned by James’ birth name, Brett Cornelius.
The news has sent shockwaves through the country music community, with a long list of artists taking to social media to pay tribute to James. Dierks Bentley described James as “one of the best singer-songwriters in our town”, and revealed that their collaboration on the song ‘I Hold On’ had changed his life.
James is perhaps best known for penning ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’, a number one smash hit for Carrie Underwood in 2006, for which he won the Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. His glittering roster of hits also includes songs recorded by Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw, among others.
Originally from Oklahoma City, James dropped out of medical school to pursue his passion for music. In a remarkable twist of fate, he was encouraged by the dean of the school to follow his dream, leading him to become one of the most respected songwriters in the industry.
In a testament to his remarkable talent, James’ songs were recorded by mainstream pop and rock acts too, including Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, and the Backstreet Boys.
The Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, which inducted James in 2020, has expressed deep sadness at the news of his passing, and tributes continue to pour in from the music world and beyond.