Country Stars Remember Brett James Following His Death In North Carolina Plane Crash
Members of the country music community are paying tribute to Brett James following his death in a plane crash on September 18, 2025. (Photo Credits: Dierks Bentley / Facebook & Sara Evans / Instagram)
Grammy-Winning Country Songwriter Brett James Dies In Plane Crash
The country music community is pausing to remember songwriter Brett James, who was killed in a plane crash on Thursday, September 18.
WSMV reports that a Cirrus SR22T plane owned by Brett James Cornelius took off from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport at 12:41 PM local time. Around 3:00 PM, the aircraft crashed near Iotla Valley Elementary School adjacent to the Macon County Airport in North Carolina.
All three people on board lost their lives in the crash. 57-year-old James, his wife, Melody, and Melody’s daughter, Meryl, were identified as those who lost their lives.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol, FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The NTSB provided a statement to Country Rebel, saying:
“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.”
Many remember Brett James as a skilled and successful songwriter. He scored his first #1 hit in 2001 with “Who I Am,” recorded by Jessica Andrews.
James penned 27 chart-topping hits and numerous other Top 10 singles. Some of his most well-known works include:
James won Best Country Song at the 49th Grammy Awards as one of the songwriters behind Carrie Underwood‘s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The ASCAP recognized James with the Country Songwriter of the Year Award twice, in 2006 and 2010.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted James into its ranks in 2020.
Country Stars Remember Brett James As A Great Talent And Friend – See Their Tributes Below
It goes without saying that Brett James had a profound impact on the country music industry. His songs touched the hearts of fans far and wide. Now, those songs will carry on his legacy.
As one of the industry’s most respected songwriters, James made many friends in the country music community, which has been left in mourning following his tragic death.
Read some stars’ tributes to James below.
Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert shared a slideshow of memories he made with James over the years. In the caption, he wrote, “RIP brother, thank you for the memories, the songs, and the legacy you left us. We’ll be seein ya again.”
Sara Evans
Sara Evans recorded several songs written by Brett James, including “Cheatin’” and “Big Cry.” The former song became a Top 10 hit for Evans following its release in 2005.
After learning about James’ death, Evans said:
“I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.”
Gary LeVox
Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox wrote over 15 songs with James. He remembered him as a skilled songwriter, but said he was an even better friend.
“I will miss u and r talks and texts and melodies and laughs,” LeVox said. “We wrote a lot about where you’re standing now. I know it’s gotta be better than what we tried to come up with. I love u and will miss u!”
Jay DeMarcus
Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus joined LeVox in paying tribute to James. DeMarcus also wrote “a ton” of songs with James, and they became close.
DeMarcus wrote:
“I will dearly miss our times in the room together sharing and talking about life, just trying to find a different way to say the things we all say… RIP buddy. You’ve left us way too soon…”
Chris Young
Chris Young said he was “so sad” to learn about James’ death. James wrote Young’s “The Man I Want to Be,” which, after its release in 2009, reached #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Young played the song over a portrait of James that he shared with his tribute.
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw said he was “so heartbroken” to learn about James’ death. James wrote several songs for McGraw, including his “personal favorite” tracks “Telluride” and “Drugs or Jesus.”
“Our family’s hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him,” McGraw wrote.
Dierks Bentley
As an aviator himself, Dierks Bentley was especially shaken up after news broke about James’ passing.
Bentley co-wrote “I Hold On” with James. The song reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart in 2014, and has been certified Double Platinum by the RIAA.
“I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. It was one of the first times we wrote and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so,” Bentley recalled about writing the track with James.
Bentley added, “Our friendship and that song changed my life.”
Cody Alan
Although not a country artist, CMT’s Cody Alan is a significant figure in the country music community. His emotional tribute to James listed some of his greatest songs.
“We will miss him dearly,” Alan said.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood was devastated to learn about James’ death. As mentioned previously, he wrote many of her greatest hits, including “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
In a heartbreaking tribute to her longtime friend and collaborator, Underwood wrote:
“Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.”
She added, “Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
We’ll be keeping Brett James’ loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time.
