'Jesus, Take the Wheel' songwriter Brett James dies in US plane crash

September 19, 2025

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, has died along with two others in a single-engine plane crash near Macon County Airport in North Carolina under unknown circumstances. James was best known for co-writing "Jesus Take the Wheel" for Carrie Underwood, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, and composed over 500 songs for various artists including Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, and Bon Jovi. A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and two-time ASCAP songwriter of the year, James was mourned by Underwood who called his death "unfathomable" and by industry professionals who praised his talents and character.

Who is affected

Brett James' family (implied but not specifically mentioned)
The music industry, particularly country music
Fellow artists who worked with James, including Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, and Jason Aldean
The Nashville songwriting community
The other two unidentified individuals who died in the crash
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

What action is being taken

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into the plane crash
Artists and industry professionals are publicly responding to and mourning James' death
Authorities are investigating the crash that occurred "under unknown circumstances in a wooded area"

Why it matters

James was a significant figure in the music industry who wrote over 500 songs across genres
He was a Grammy Award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee
"Jesus Take the Wheel" was a defining hit for both James and Carrie Underwood
James was recognized as "a songwriting force of nature" who won ASCAP songwriter of the year twice (2006 and 2010)
The sudden loss impacts numerous artists who collaborated with him throughout his career

What's next

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead a probe into the crash

Read full article from source: BBC