Carrie Underwood Remembers Songwriter Brett James, 57, Who Died in Plane Crash
NASHVILLE, TN — Carrie Underwood commemorated Brett James, her collaborator on the 2007 Grammy-winning song “Jesus Take the Wheel,” who died in a plane crash at age 57 on Sept. 18.
Authorities reported that James, along with his wife, Melody Wilson, 59, and stepdaughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, were aboard a small-engine plane that went down near a school in Franklin, North Carolina. No injuries were reported among students or faculty. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed there were no survivors on the aircraft.
Underwood shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing her shock over James’s passing. She described him as “the epitome of ‘cool’” and recalled their writing sessions. “Brett wrote 75 percent of the song,” she noted, emphasizing his insistence on equal credit for their work.
She reflected on their shared faith, stating, “Brett loved the Lord, which is the only comfort we can hold on to now.” Underwood highlighted the significance of their spiritual songs, noting that she would forever associate them with him.
The loss has created an “unfillable hole” in her life and the music community, she added. The tribute concluded with a reminder of the fragility of life, urging others to cherish each day.
This tragic event marks a significant loss in the country music industry, given James’s contributions as a Grammy-winning songwriter.