Grammy-Winning ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ Songwriter Brett James Dies in Plane Crash at 57

Two other individuals also died in the crash, which occurred in Macon County, North Carolina.

Songwriter Brett James performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2022. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Brett James Cornelius, a Grammy-winning songwriter known for penning hundreds of pop and country songs, including Carrie Underwood’s 2005 chart-topping hit “Jesus Take The Wheel,” died on Sept. 18 after a small plane he was traveling in crashed in Macon County, North Carolina. He was 57.

The Cirrus SR22T went down at around 3 p.m. local time in a field adjacent to the Macon County Airport in Franklin, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated in a preliminary report. Two other individuals aboard the plane were pronounced dead at the scene.

The names of the deceased were not immediately released. However, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed that the musician, known professionally as Brett James, was killed in the crash.

“We mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James (‘Jesus Take The Wheel’/‘When The Sun Goes Down’), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on Sept. 18,” the message reads.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently looking into the incident, with the latter leading the investigation.

A representative for the NTSB told The Epoch Times via email on Friday morning that preliminary findings indicate the Cirrus SR22T “crashed under unknown circumstances.”

“It is very early in the investigation, and not much information is available at this time,” the representative said.

“What I can provide is that an NTSB investigator is on scene documenting the scene, examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be removed and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

The single-engine plane took off from the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at around 12:41 p.m. on Thursday and was registered to James, FlightAware data show.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office indicated on Facebook that the crash occurred near the local Iotla Valley Elementary School.

“To the parents that have children that attend Iotla school. The students and staff are safe,” the post reads. “There was an airplane accident on the neighboring property. Again, all students and staff are safe.”

James was named the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Songwriter of the Year in 2006.

The following year, he took home a Grammy Award for Best Country Song alongside Underwood and co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson for “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

He is credited with writing more than 400 songs throughout his career, among them Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On,” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All.”

James was remembered online by his fans, friends, and peers.

“Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James,” country singer Jason Aldean wrote on X.

“I had nothing but love and respect for that guy, and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family.”

“I’m still at a loss for words ... today we lost Brett James,” songwriter Justin Weaver shared on Instagram. “He changed my life, mentoring me and just being a friend. My family and I thank you brother. You will be missed, and your legacy will live on.”

“Brett left an incredible mark on the Nashville community,” country artist Gary Quinn said on Instagram.

“He wasn’t just a world-class songwriter — penning countless hits, including the iconic ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’—he was also a champion of other writers and artists, always lifting people up. His songs will live on for generations, but so will the kindness and encouragement he showed to so many of us.”