Plane crash claims life of Brendan James, renowned songwriter behind the hit 'Jesus Take the Wheel' at 57 years old.
Brett James, a renowned figure in the country music industry, tragically passed away in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday. The 57-year-old Oklahoma City native was one of three people on board a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that crashed near Franklin.
James, known professionally as Brett Cornelius, left medical school to pursue his passion for music in Nashville. His decision proved fruitful, as he went on to write some of the genre's most iconic songs.
Among his many accomplishments, James co-wrote Carrie Underwood's 2005 hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which earned him a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006. He also penned Kenny Chesney's "When the Sun Goes Down" and scored a Latin hit with Paulina Rubio's "The One You Love (Todo Mi Amor)."
James's career began with early hits for Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Martina McBride. Later, he would become a trusted collaborator to country's greatest names, including Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, Rodney Atkins, and Brantley Gilbert.
In 2001, his first country chart-topper, "Who I Am," was performed by Jessica Andrews. He was also a 2-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been tasked with investigating the cause of the airplane crash. As of now, no further details about the incident have been released. The exact location of the crash site is not specified.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced James's death in a Facebook post on Friday. James was a true advocate for songwriters and will be deeply missed by the music community.
Our thoughts are with Brett James's family and friends during this difficult time.
