'Jesus Take the Wheel' songwriter Brett James dies at 54
Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, best known for penning Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel," died in a plane crash on September 18, 2025, near Macon County Airport in North Carolina.
He was flying his single-engine Cirrus SR22T when the plane went into a sharp spiral and crashed.
The music world is feeling this loss deeply—James had just celebrated his stepdaughter's birthday before the crash.
Investigators are looking into the crash
According to investigators, James's last radio call came from 6,800 feet, but after that, there was silence. Witnesses saw the plane flying unusually low and swaying before it rolled over and crashed just outside the airfield.
James worked with stars like Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean, leaving a big mark on country music. His sudden passing has left fans and fellow artists remembering his hits.