Brett James, a Grammy-winning songwriter and 2020 Hall of Fame inductee, tragically died in a small-engine plane crash near a school in North Carolina on September 18, 2025. He was 57 years old. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed the news via Instagram on September 19, mourning the loss of a legendary figure in country music. The crash claimed the lives of three people, including James, who owned the plane. Flight data showed the single-engine aircraft had departed from Nashville. Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing. James was well-known for co-writing the hit song “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which earned him a Grammy for Best Country Song. His career spanned decades and genres, making him a respected figure in Nashville’s music scene. He also co-wrote hits like Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All,” Rascal Flatts’ “Love You Out Loud,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun…