**Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brett James (57) dies in plane crash**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Sep 19, 2025, 01:37 PM*

Brett James, a celebrated American country music singer-songwriter and record producer, has tragically died in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday (US time). He was 57 years old. The news of his untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with fans and fellow musicians expressing their grief and paying tribute to the late artist.

### Crash Details
James was one of three people on board a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, at around 3:00 PM local time on Thursday. The plane departed from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport and went down near Iotla Valley Elementary School, close to Macon County Airport, surrounded by open fields.

### His Impact on the Music Industry
Brett James was a prolific songwriter, having penned some of the biggest hits for artists such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Brantley Gilbert, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Bon Jovi, and Kenny Chesney. Among his most acclaimed works is Carrie Underwood’s 2006 chart-topper *Jesus Take the Wheel*. The track earned Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and it was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 49th Grammy Awards in 2007.

### Personal Tributes
Dierks Bentley, who collaborated with James on his 2013 hit *I Hold On*, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late songwriter. Bentley described James as “a total legend” and shared how James helped him refine the song’s concept following his father’s death. “The chorus is all him. Our friendship and that song changed my life. Prayers for his family,” Bentley wrote on social media.

### A Look at His Career
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Brett James attended music school in the early 1990s but decided to drop out to pursue a career in music. He released his self-titled debut album in 1995, featuring charting singles such as *Female Bonding*, *If I Could See Love*, and *Worth the Fall*. From the early 2000s onward, James became widely known as a gifted songwriter for other country and pop artists.

Brett James’s contributions to music have left an indelible mark, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
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