Brett James, a Grammy-winning country music songwriter, died in a tragic plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, on September 18, 2025. The 57-year-old was travelling aboard his private single-engine Cirrus SR22T plane with his wife, Melody Carole Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28.
All three lost their lives in the crash, which happened in a wooded area near Lotla Valley Elementary School. Fortunately, the students and staff of the school were safe at the time of the accident.
James was renowned for writing many hit songs, including Carrie Underwood’s Grammy-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The song was a significant milestone in both Underwood’s and James’s careers, earning multiple accolades. James wrote for top artists like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean, and Keith Urban during his long and successful career.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The plane had taken off earlier from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, before the accident.
Friends, family, and the music community have expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss. Carrie Underwood described the news as “just unfathomable” and said she will never perform their songs together without thinking of him. Country artist Dierks Bentley called James “a true legend” and “one of the best singer-songwriters.”
James’s songwriting impact was vast. He penned over 500 songs, with albums collectively selling more than 110 million copies worldwide. He had been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020 and had won ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year award twice.
James was also known for his generous personality and his support for fellow songwriters. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame mourned his “untimely loss” and praised him as a key figure in Nashville’s music industry.
Personal details shared include that James was married to Melody Carole Wilson since 2022 and was survived by four children from his previous marriage with Sandra Cornelius Little. His stepdaughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, had just celebrated her birthday before the crash.
The heartbreaking news stunned communities across music and sports. ESPN announcer Kirk Herbstreit, a close friend, learned about James’s death during a live football broadcast. Many peers remembered James as humble, talented, and deeply respected.
The songwriter’s legacy lives on through his music and the many artists he helped shape. James’s career spanned songwriting, publishing, and mentorship, leaving a lasting mark on country music and beyond. The investigation into the crash continues as fans and loved ones mourn a great talent lost too soon.
