Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter known for Carrie Underwood’s 2005 smash “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” died Thursday in a small-engine plane crash in North Carolina. He was 57.
James was one of three people on board a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that crashed near Franklin, North Carolina. The National Transportation Safety Board told news outlets that it is said it is investigating.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced James’ death in a Facebook post on Friday.
The performing rights organization ASCAP wrote in a tribute post, “We’re mourning the loss of Brett James … a 2-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year. Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names and a true advocate for songwriters. We miss him dearly.”
A native of Oklahoma City, James — real name: Brett Cornelius — left medical school to pursue music in Nashville. He worked as an artist for several years before focusing on songwriting, scoring early hits with Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus and Martina McBride. In 2001, “Who I Am,” performed by Jessica Andrews, became his first country chart-topper.
In 2006, “Jesus Take the Wheel,” which he wrote with Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2005 Academy of Country Music Single of the Year and the 2006 ASCAP Country Song of the Year.
His other hits include Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova,” Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” Rodney Atkins’ “It’s America,” Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights,” Chris Young’s “The Man I Want to Be” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up,” He also scored a Latin hit with “The One You Love (Todo Mi Amor)” by Paulina Rubio.
