Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James died in a small-engine airplane crash near Franklin, North Carolina, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, according to multiple authorities. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed that James, along with two other occupants, was pronounced dead at the scene around 3 p.m. local time.
The crash involved a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that went down in a field west of Iotla Valley Elementary School in Macon County. The victims were identified as Brett James Cornelius, the songwriter’s full name, Melody Carole, and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. Students and staff at the nearby school were reported safe, with no injuries at the educational facility.
James, 57, was best known for writing Carrie Underwood’s 2006 hit “Jesus Take the Wheel,” which won Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The plane that crashed was registered to James and had departed from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport at 12:41 p.m. CST, traveling approximately 270 miles southeast before the accident occurred.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced James’ death Thursday evening, mourning the loss of the 2020 inductee. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it is investigating the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration assisting in the inquiry.
Throughout his career spanning more than three decades, James wrote or co-wrote over 800 songs for artists across multiple genres. His compositions were recorded by country stars including Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Jason Aldean, as well as pop and rock acts like Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, and the Backstreet Boys. His first number-one country hit was “Who I Am” by Jessica Andrews in 2001.
James was twice named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010. He also served as a producer and held board positions with the Country Music Association and the Recording Academy. Additionally, he owned the publishing company Cornman Music and was a longtime board member and officer for the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
The songwriter’s path to success was unconventional. Born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1968, James initially dropped out of medical school to pursue music. After his solo albums failed to achieve commercial success, he re-enrolled in medical school in Oklahoma in 1999. However, when Faith Hill recorded his song “Love is a Sweet Thing,” his songwriting career began to flourish, ultimately leading him to abandon medical studies permanently.
James reflected on this pivotal moment in a previous interview, noting that the medical school dean told him he could never return if he left again. He indicated that he initially thought he was leaving the music business entirely, but that year he had 33 songs recorded, far exceeding his wildest expectations of having 10 cuts in a year.
Country artist Dierks Bentley paid tribute to James on social media, describing him as “one of the best singer-songwriters in our town” and crediting their collaboration on “I Hold On” with changing his life. Bentley explained that he brought rough verse ideas to James after his father died, and James helped create the chorus.
James also collaborated with television personality Kathie Lee Gifford on songs including “He Saw Jesus,” which honored her late husband Frank Gifford. The pair worked together on multiple projects, with James helping to bring Gifford’s musical ideas to fruition.
The Nashville Songwriters Association International issued a statement through Board President Lee Thomas Miller, who described James as “a Music Row giant” and “a consistent powerhouse songwriter, publisher, and producer for over 30 years.” Miller noted that James achieved heights few songwriters reach and represented the Nashville songwriting community worldwide while educating fans and lawmakers about intellectual property issues.
James was a Baylor University alumnus, graduating with the Class of 1991. The university confirmed his death Friday, recognizing his significant contributions to the music industry.
James is survived by his wife Sandra Cornelius and their children. The investigation into the crash circumstances remains ongoing, with the NTSB leading the inquiry and expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.