Singer-songwriter Brett James, who penned nation music hits for stars together with Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean, was one in every of three individuals who died Thursday in a airplane crash in North Carolina. He was 57.
The Federal Aviation Administration introduced in its preliminary report that three folks have been on board in a Cirrus SR22T that “crashed in a area” Thursday at round 3 p.m. native time in Franklin, N.C. There have been no survivors, the North Carolina State Freeway patrol confirmed in an announcement.
In accordance with further data from the FAA, the songwriter was on the airplane, which was registered to him below his authorized title, Brett James Cornelius. It’s unclear whether or not he was piloting the airplane throughout its crash, which the FAA mentioned occurred “below unknown circumstances.” The state patrol confirmed the musician’s loss of life, including that his spouse, Melody Carole, and Carole’s daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson have been the opposite two folks on the airplane. Wilson celebrated her birthday this week, in accordance with a publish on Carole’s Instagram web page.
The plane had taken off from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville. The FAA and Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned they’re investigating the crash.
The Nashville Songwriters Corridor of Fame shared the information of James’ loss of life Thursday in a social media publish. “We mourn the premature lack of Corridor of Fame member Brett James (‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ / ‘When the Solar Goes Down’), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on Sept. 18,” the publish mentioned.
James, born June 5, 1968, is finest identified for co-writing the 2005 Underwood hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The ballad, additionally co-written by Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, helped propel the careers of “American Idol” winner Underwood and James: It gained the nation music prize on the 2007 Grammy Awards and was dubbed ASCAP’s nation music of the 12 months in 2006.
The Missouri-born musician started his music profession within the early Nineties after leaving medical college behind. He signed as a solo to Profession Data, a subsidiary of Arista Nashville, however discovered his calling writing for Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Martina McBride, Religion Hill, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and different nation music acts.
“An excellent songwriter and superb man. He was the pen behind ‘Summer time Nights,’ ‘Love You Out Loud’ and numerous songs we’ve all sang alongside too,” Rascal Flatts mentioned Friday in an Instagram tribute. “He will likely be significantly missed.”
Aldean additionally remembered James throughout his present in Lincoln, Neb., performing their music “The Reality.” The singer mentioned he had “nothing however love and respect for that man and he helped change my life” in a social media publish of that efficiency.
James additionally penned Cheney and Uncle Kracker’s “When the Solar Goes Down,” Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” and Rodney Atkins’ “It’s America.” As a solo artist, James launched a number of singles, a self-titled album in 1995 and the 2020 EP “I Am Now.” ASCAP named James its nation songwriter of the 12 months twice, first in 2006 then in 2010.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
