Brett James Killed Piloting Plane in NC

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, died Sept. 18 when the single-engine Cirrus SR22T he was piloting crashed near Franklin, North Carolina, also killing his wife, Melody Carole, and her daughter. The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days. An Oklahoma native, James wrote or co-wrote hits including Carrie Underwood’s Jesus, Take the Wheel and many songs for Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Keith Urban. Chesney posted an Instagram tribute calling James his “Brother Of The Sun” and saying roughly half his setlists included songs written or co-written by James; Carrie Underwood also mourned him on social media. Media outlets and colleagues noted his prolific, often one-session collaborations, and tributes and condolences have poured in from the country music community and fans.