By Michaela Gordoni
Brett James, the man behind Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a North Carolina plane crash on Thursday.
James wrote over 500 songs for artists such as Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan and others.
“A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 18. Three people were on board,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital.
James was 57. His wife, Melody Carole Wilson, and her daughter, Meryl, were also onboard. It’s unclear which family member was flying the plane when it crashed. All three passengers died.
The plane took off from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport before crashed in the woods of Franklin, Tennessee. It isn’t clear why the plane crashed.
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James entry to success was in 2001 with “Who I Am,” sung by Jessica Andrews. It hit No. 2 on country charts. His song “Jesus, Take the Wheel” earned Underwood a Grammy.
“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 said on Friday. “Brett was the epitome of ‘cool.’ I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle… his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long.”
“I always loved hearing him sing ‘Cowboy Casanova’ because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool,” she said.
She also recalled a time he wrote 75% of a song but wanted to go 50/50 on the credit, despite Underwood’s protests that he take full credit.
“He was just that kind of guy,” she said. “Brett loved the Lord. Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church.”
“My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him,” she said.
She said his death is a reminder not to take each day for granted.
James previously said of writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “It turned into something special for all of us, and I think it’s still special to Carrie,” James said. “I’ve been so blessed by her over the years.”
James also wrote “Something in The Water, “Love Wins,” “Cowboy Casanova” and “Game On” for Underwood.
Please pray for Brett, Melody and Meryl’s close friends and family as they mourn their deaths.
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