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Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brett James died in a small plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday (September 18). He was 57.
James, who was reportedly one of three people on board the aircraft, was known for writing or co-writing some of the most beloved hits in country music. The list includes “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood, “When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney,” “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, “The Truth” by Jason Aldean, “Blessed” by Martina McBride, and many more.
Artists in the Nashville community paid tribute to James as they mourned his loss.
“I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs,” Sara Evans posted on Instagram. “Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.”
Hannah Ellis shared on her Instagram story that she “heard from a friend at the news station that it might be his plane and have been praying for hours that it wasn’t… Nashville lost one of our true giants today. I can’t believe this is real.” Jon Langston said the loss is “heartbreaking,” and said he “always loved writing songs with Brett. What a talented man and just a great person. Prayers for his family.” Dustin Lynch hailed James “a great one,” and thanked him “for inspiring me in so many ways,” in a tribute on his story. Ashley Cooke, RaeLynn and others also shared heartbroken reactions. Kelsey Hart said when he thinks of James, “I think of charisma, talent and the kindness he brought to Music Row.” Travis Denning remembered the songwriting giant as “one of (Music Row’s) anchors. ...I will miss you.”
“No description can encapsulate how much Brett meant to so many,” Chris Young wrote in his caption on TikTok, set to “The Man I Want to Be,” his 2009 ballad that James co-wrote with songwriter Tim Nichols. “Not just in Nashville… but around the world.”
“Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight,” Aldean wrote. “I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family. 💔”
“Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” Bentley said. “I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. It was one of the first times we wrote and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so. Our friendship and that song changed my life. 💔 Prayers for his family.”
“It’s hard to find the words to put in a damn caption after losing someone that inspired the dream you chase,” Mitchell Tenpenny said on Instagram. “Thank you for your songs and your impact on country music but more importantly thank you for being my friend. You gave me so much of your time and wisdom when I had nothing to offer you. You always made me feel like I belonged in the same room as you even when I didn’t. You were cool as shit and just always making me feel cool. You were one of a kind and will be deeply missed. Thank you for everything Brett. What a legend.”
“This is just heartbreaking,” Lady A’s Charles Kelley shared on his Instagram story on Friday morning (September 19). “Can’t believe you’re gone, buddy. gonna miss seeing your face in the gym every week. Brett James was the coolest cat Nashville ever had.”
“Every interaction I had with Brett James was warm and kind,” Lady A’s Hillary Scott said. “He was so gifted and leaves a giant hole in the musical tapestry of this town that will never be repaired or replaced. Jesus, be near and bring his family and all who love him comfort.”
Kylie Morgan mourned the loss of three “beautiful souls,” remembering James’ step-daughter, who turned 28 only three days ago, as “one of the most captivating humans I’ve ever met. Beautiful inside and out, kind, Godly, and truly a one of a kind,” she wrote in her tribute, in part. “I’m truly so thankful to have known you. I love you and will forever miss that contagious laugh and smile.”
“Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words,” Underwood wrote in a heartfelt tribute, in part. “I’m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett. Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
Lauren Alaina wrote on her Instagram story that she’s “devastated” by the loss. “The first song I wrote after being on American Idol and signing my deal was with [Brett James] and [Luke Laird] I felt like I was big time because of working with them. it was the perfect introduction to my songwriting story in Nashville. Brett was such a light and talent. He will be missed.”
“This man wrote so many songs you and I listen to or grew up on,” Danielle Bradbery said. “One of the songs he wrote was my very first single to start my country music career, ‘Heart of Dixie.’ Praying for his family.. Rest easy Brett.”
“So heartbroken to hear about the passing of Brett James,” Tim McGraw posted on Instagram on Friday. “Brett was one of the most talented and most respected songwriters in Nashville and wrote some of my personal favorite songs I ever recorded, Telluride and Drugs or Jesus. Our family’s hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him.”
“RIP brother, thank you for the memories, the songs, and the legacy you left us. We’ll be seein ya again,” Brantley Gilbert said.
Hailey Whitters shared, “life is so fragile… another devastating loss for the Music Row community and Nashville.”
“Words are hard to find today after learning of the tragic accident that took Brett James’s life yesterday,” Thompson Square said. “I had the privilege of knowing him for many years, writing many songs with him and recording some on our records. He was one of the most talented writers I’d ever written with and just a great guy. Our hearts go out to his family and friends who are all mourning today. Rest easy Brett. You will be sorely missed.”