North Carolina, September 20 (HS): Brett James, the celebrated Grammy-winning songwriter behind Carrie Underwood’s breakout hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel”, has died in a plane crash at the age of 57 on Thursday (September 18,2025).

Authorities said the single-engine Cirrus SR22T carrying James and two others went down under “unknown circumstances” in a wooded area near Macon County Airport, shortly after departing from Nashville. All three on board were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the accident.

James, a prolific Nashville-based songwriter, won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2007 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. He had more than 500 songs to his credit, writing hits not only for Underwood but also for Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, and Jason Aldean.

Underwood, reacting to his death, said the loss was “just unfathomable,” adding that every time she performed one of their collaborations, she would think of him. Jason Aldean, who worked with James on “The Truth”, called him a life-changing influence and said he was “heartbroken.”

Paul Williams, president of ASCAP, hailed James as “a songwriting force of nature” who combined professional brilliance with personal warmth, leaving an indelible mark on American music.

James twice won ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year award, in 2006 and 2010, cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile and successful songwriters of his generation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar