Grammy-winning country songwriter dies in North Carolina plane crash

Award-winning songwriter Brett James died on Thursday in a single-engine airplane crash in western North Carolina. The 57-year-old won the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song for writing “Jesus Take the Wheel,” famously sung by Carrie Underwood. He was also known for writing or co-writing Taylor Swift’s “A Perfectly Good Heart,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” and Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights.”

He also co-wrote hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All,” and Jason Aldean’s “The Truth.” Aldean performed the latter song as a tribute to James at his Thursday night concert. Aldean said he was heartbroken over James’ passing, but honored to have met and worked with him, according to a Friday statement. Aldean had nothing but love and respect for the man who helped change his life, the singer added.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers released a Thursday night statement mourning James, a two-time recipient of the group’s Country Songwriter of the Year award. He was a trusted collaborator and true advocate for songwriters, the society wrote. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame also released a Thursday night statement memorializing the 2020 inductee.

What do we know about the crash? A Cirrus SR22T, a single-engine aircraft with the capacity to seat five people, crashed in a field on Thursday in Franklin, N.C., around 3 p.m. EDT, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Thursday statement. The plane went down near a local elementary school, and all students and staff were unharmed, Macon County officials said Thursday. The FAA noted that three people were onboard. That number included James, and all three are believed dead, according to local reports. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed its investigation was launched on Thursday.