Brett James, the Grammy-winning writer of “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and scores of other hit country and pop songs, has died in a plane crash, authorities confirmed Friday morning.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol told NBC News that it was called to a crash near the town of Franklin, Macon County, at 3 p.m. Thursday.
It confirmed three people died: Brett James Cornelius, the artist’s full name, as well as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson.
The National Transport Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Pictures from the scene broadcast by local TV stations showed the plane’s tail registration number N218VB — a plane with this registration was owned by Brett Cornelius.
The Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame — which James was inducted into in 2020 — said it was mourning his loss, and a long list of artists took to social media to pay tribute to a highly respected songwriter and artist.
Dierks Bentley said on Instagram that James was “one of the best singer-songwriters in our town,” and said the pair’s collaboration on the song “I Hold On” changed his life.
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James is best known for penning “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” a number one smash hit for Carrie Underwood in 2006, and won the Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
A glittering roster of country stars recorded his songs, including Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, several of which topped the country charts. His first song to go to number one on the country charts was “Who I Am” by Jessica Andrews in 2001.
His songs were recorded by mainstream pop and rock acts too, including Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson and the Backstreet Boys.
Originally from Oklahoma City, James dropped out of medical school to pursue his passion for music. After his first solo album and subsequent releases failed to set the charts alight, he turned his back on music and re-enrolled at medical school in Oklahoma in 1999 after a seven-year gap in the hope of becoming a doctor.
James told the PBS series “The Songwriters” earlier this year that the dean of the school encouraged him to follow his dream, but added, “you can’t ever come back.”
“I thought I was quitting the business,” James previously said in an interview with the website of music equipment company, Yamaha. “But then Faith Hill recorded my song ‘Love is a Sweet Thing.’ Then I started placing a lot of songs. It was pretty bizarre.”
He added that at one time, his wildest dream would have been for 10 versions of his songs to be recorded, “but that year I had thirty-three.”