Brett James, the author of the hit «Jesus Take the Wheel», died in a plane crash
19 september 2025 в 23:13
Brett James, best known as the songwriter for Carrie Underwood’s song «Jesus Take the Wheel», - died in a plane crash in North Carolina. He was 57 years old. We remember the life and career of the late singer and songwriter below.
Known for his work in country music, James was a talented songwriter, singer, and musician. Born in Columbia, Missouri, he later moved to Oklahoma and attended school there. After enrolling at Baylor University, James earned a Bachelor of Science degree, which led him to briefly attend medical school. However, he dropped out to pursue his dreams of a music career.
Success did not come instantly for James. Like most struggling artists, he worked as a waiter and attended open mic nights, but it took many years before he became a recognized songwriter. After spending seven years trying to make his dreams come true in Nashville, James returned home and re-enrolled in medical school, according to his biography on Baylor University’s website. After completing his second year, James met with the dean — who allowed him to re-enroll — to tell her that he was leaving again.
«I had a list of all the songs I had written on a piece of paper, and I handed it to her», - James said of his last meeting with the dean. «It turned out she was a big country music fan and knew some of the songs. She said, 'This is amazing. You have to go do this, but you can’t come back to medical school.'»
One of James’s most famous works was the song «Jesus Take the Wheel» for Carrie Underwood, which won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. He also collaborated with Underwood again, co-writing the song «Cowboy Casanova».
James also wrote the song «Out Last Night» for Kenny Chesney.
In 2008, James began working as a record producer. He is credited with contributing to the reissue of Taylor Swift’s debut album, as well as Jessica Simpson’s album «Do You Know».
On September 18, 2025, James and two others died after his plane crashed near an elementary school in North Carolina, close to the runway of Macon County Airport, during the day. The Cirrus SR22T plane, reportedly registered in James’s name, took off from John C. Tune Airport in Tennessee and crashed in a field in North Carolina.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash
Known for his work in country music, James was a talented songwriter, singer, and musician. Born in Columbia, Missouri, he later moved to Oklahoma and attended school there. After enrolling at Baylor University, James earned a Bachelor of Science degree, which led him to briefly attend medical school. However, he dropped out to pursue his dreams of a music career.
Success did not come instantly for James. Like most struggling artists, he worked as a waiter and attended open mic nights, but it took many years before he became a recognized songwriter. After spending seven years trying to make his dreams come true in Nashville, James returned home and re-enrolled in medical school, according to his biography on Baylor University’s website. After completing his second year, James met with the dean — who allowed him to re-enroll — to tell her that he was leaving again.
«I had a list of all the songs I had written on a piece of paper, and I handed it to her», - James said of his last meeting with the dean. «It turned out she was a big country music fan and knew some of the songs. She said, 'This is amazing. You have to go do this, but you can’t come back to medical school.'»
One of James’s most famous works was the song «Jesus Take the Wheel» for Carrie Underwood, which won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. He also collaborated with Underwood again, co-writing the song «Cowboy Casanova».
James also wrote the song «Out Last Night» for Kenny Chesney.
In 2008, James began working as a record producer. He is credited with contributing to the reissue of Taylor Swift’s debut album, as well as Jessica Simpson’s album «Do You Know».
On September 18, 2025, James and two others died after his plane crashed near an elementary school in North Carolina, close to the runway of Macon County Airport, during the day. The Cirrus SR22T plane, reportedly registered in James’s name, took off from John C. Tune Airport in Tennessee and crashed in a field in North Carolina.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash
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