Country music is mourning the sudden loss of Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind some of Nashville’s biggest hits, who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 57.
The accident occurred Thursday afternoon (September 18) when a small-engine Cirrus SR22T went down near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, North Carolina. Fox 17 confirmed that three people were on board the aircraft and none survived.
Brett James Dead at 57: Grammy-Winning Country Songwriter Killed in Plane Crash
The FAA issued a statement shortly after the crash: “A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 18. Three people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.”
James’ impact on country music is undeniable. He won a Grammy Award for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s breakout ballad “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and was the pen behind chart-topping hits including “When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, Martina McBride’s “Blessed”, and Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova.”
In addition to his songwriting success, James released his self-titled debut album in 1995 and went on to become one of the most respected figures in the Nashville music scene. His career accolades include induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and being named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year twice.
James leaves behind a legacy of timeless music that defined an era of country radio and helped launch careers of some of the genre’s biggest stars. His death marks a devastating blow to the Nashville community, where he was not only admired for his talent but deeply loved by his peers.
Our thoughts are with Brett James’ family, friends, and fans as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.
Would you like me to also add a section listing other notable celebrity deaths in 2025 to tie it into the “Here are more celebs who have died in 2025” line?
