Country music songwriter Brett James dies in North Carolina plane crash

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

On September 18, American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer Brett James died in a plane crash in a wooded area in Franklin, North Carolina. His death was verified by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Two other people died onboard the plane. There were no survivors.

The aircraft involved was a Cirrus SR22T.

According to a preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The BBC reported the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the FAA also involved.

James co-wrote Carrie Underwood's song Jesus Take the Wheel, a collaboration that, according to the BBC, brought him wide attention. Jesus Take the Wheel won a Grammy award for "Best Country Song." It was also nominated for "Song of the Year."

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Sources

Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu. 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' songwriter Brett James dies in US plane crash — BBC News, September 19, 2025
Kathy McCormack and Josh Funk. Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, who co-wrote 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' dies in plane crash — AP News, September 19, 2025