Brett James, the celebrated songwriter who also crafted lyrics for Billy Ray Cyrus, has tragically passed away at the age of 57. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame luminary died in a harrowing plane crash on Thursday, September 18.
According to WLOS, James, born Brett James Cornelius, was aboard a small-engine aircraft that plummeted in Macon County, near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. EST. Authorities have confirmed that none of the three passengers on board survived the crash. The FAA reports that the aircraft was registered to Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, TN.
News of his untimely demise sent shockwaves through the music community, which promptly paid heartfelt tributes to James. "We mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James (‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ / ‘When The Sun Goes Down’), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on Sept. 18," read a poignant social media post from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The late artist, who once traded the stethoscope for the microphone and left medical school to pursue a career in music, swiftly rose to prominence as a behind-the-scenes star. In his early days, he penned songs for Billy Ray Cyrus (Miley Cyrus’ father), Kenny Chesney, and Martina McBride. In 2001, he achieved his first No. 1 hit with "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews.
A prolific songwriter, James composed over 300 major-label songs, earning two Grammy nominations and a win for Best Country Song for Carrie Underwood’s "Jesus, Take The Wheel." The chart-topping record also secured the ACM Single of the Year, the ASCAP Country Song of the Year, and the NSAI Song of the Year. Furthermore, James was twice honored as the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year, in 2006 and 2010.
In 2020, James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition of his immense contributions to the music world. That same year, he released his first self-written artist collection in over two decades, titled "I Am Now," a poignant testament to his enduring talent and creative spirit.
