Brett James, Grammy-winning songwriter, dies in plane crash in North Carolina
Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, died in a small-engine plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m., when a plane registered to James reportedly went down in a field approximately 270 miles southeast of Nashville. The plane had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, the FAA confirmed. Three individuals were on board, though further details about the crash are limited.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and CNN has reached out to the Macon County Sheriff's Office for additional information.
James was awarded a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He also contributed to Kenny Chesney's hit “Out Last Night” and was recognized as a key collaborator in the country music industry.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers called him “a trusted collaborator to country's greatest names” in an online statement. Country musician Dierks Bentley paid tribute, describing James as “a fellow aviator and one of the best singer-songwriters in our town.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.