The music community is mourning a pivotal artist.
Brett James—a songwriter responsible for “Jesus, Take the Wheel”—has died in a plane crash in North Carolina on Sept. 18, authorities confirmed to NBC News. He was 57.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported to a crash site near the town of Franklin, the organization told NBC News, confirming three people died in the crash: James (full name Brett James Cornelius), and two women named Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson.
The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) confirmed it and the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) would be investigating the crash, which involved a Cirrus SR22T aircraft, in a statement shared with NBC News. The NTSB will be leading the investigation.
The plane took off from Nashville’s John C Tune Airport, per CNN, citing FlightAware, before crashing about 270 miles southeast of the city, in a field near Franklin’s Iotla Valley Elementary School. Local Macon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement shared to social media that “all students and staff are safe” following the crash.
James’ career spanned over thirty years, starting out as a solo artist before transitioning mainly to songwriting in the early 2000s. Since then, James has been credited on 494 songs, including tracks for Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban.
Perhaps James’ most famous contribution to country music was 2005’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” written for and performed by Carrie Underwood. The track would go on to win two Grammys: Best Female Country Vocal Performance for Carrie as well as Best Country Song for James.
James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. He was also named the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010.
Following James’ death, ASCAP wrote on Instagram, “Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters. Brett, your ASCAP family misses you dearly. Thank you for your unforgettable music.”
But despite becoming a storied songwriter, James almost left the music world for the medical. After leaving med school to pursue his dreams, James re-enrolled in 1999 after his projects following his debut album Brett James didn’t find much success.
“I thought I was quitting the business," James previously told Yamaha’s All Access in 2005. "But then Faith Hill recorded my song 'Love is a Sweet Thing.’ It was pretty bizarre. I was going to med school, and my publisher was calling every few days to tell me someone cool was going to cut another one of my songs. My wildest dream up till then would have been to get ten cuts in a year. But that year I had thirty-three."
It was enough to encourage him back into the industry, where his songwriting career only continued to flourish.
Among those mourning James’ death is artist Dierks Bentley, whose song “I Hold On” was helped brought to life by James.
“One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” Bentley wrote on Instagram. “I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of I Hold On to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it.”
He continued, “Our friendship and that song changed my life. Prayers for his family.”
James is survived by his wife Sandra Cornelius and their children.