Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Killed in North Carolina Plane Crash

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning major country hits such as Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and Kenny Chesney's "When The Sun Goes Down," tragically died in a small plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina. The Cirrus SR22T aircraft, which departed from Nashville's John C. Tune Airport, crashed near Iotla Valley Elementary School, with all three passengers on board perishing while the school’s students and staff were unharmed. James, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, had a prolific career with over 300 songs recorded by major artists and earned multiple awards, including the Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006. Initially pursuing a medical degree, he shifted to songwriting after initial attempts as a recording artist, ultimately becoming one of Nashville's most respected songwriters. His death has elicited an outpouring of grief from the music community and fans, highlighting his impact on country music and beyond. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB into the cause of the crash are ongoing.