The country music world is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Grammy-winning songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Brett James, who tragically died in a plane crash on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Authorities confirmed that a small aircraft went down in Macon County near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. EST. Sadly, none of the three people on board survived. Records show the plane had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville earlier that day.
A Journey from Medicine to Music
Born June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, Brett James originally set out to become a doctor. But halfway through medical school, his love of music became impossible to ignore. He traded his stethoscope for a guitar, signed with Arista Nashville’s Career Records, and released a solo album in 1995.
While his career as a recording artist was brief, his true calling shone through his songwriting. Over the years, James penned more than 500 recorded songs, including some of the most beloved hits in country music.
A Legacy of Hits
His work shaped the careers of countless artists. Among his many credits:
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Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova”
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Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” and “Out Last Night”
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Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On”
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Jason Aldean’s “The Truth”
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Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights”
His songs weren’t just hits — they were soundtracks to people’s lives, earning him awards, acclaim, and a permanent place in the hearts of fans.
In 2020, James received one of the highest honors a songwriter can achieve: induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. That night, Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, and Gordie Sampson performed “Jesus, Take the Wheel” in his honor — a song that had already earned him a GRAMMY and an ACM Single of the Year award. Reflecting on that moment, Brett called his induction “the greatest honor of my life.”
Tributes Pour In
As news of his passing spread, friends and artists across Music Row shared their heartbreak. Sara Evans wrote, “I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with. Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.”
Chris Blair, owner of The Listening Room Cafe, added, “Nashville won’t be the same without you in it, Brett James.”
Songwriter Jessi Alexander also paid tribute, sharing, “So many fun nights on stage we shared and memories we made traveling around making music together. He lived large and always made me feel special. Music Row will never be the same.”
A Lasting Impact
Brett James’ passing leaves a hole in the Nashville community that can never truly be filled. But his legacy will live on through the songs he wrote, the artists he inspired, and the countless fans who found hope, healing, and joy in his music.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who loved him. His music, and his spirit, will live on forever.
