Country stars mourned the death of Brett James, an iconic songwriter who collaborated with Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and more, after a tragic plane crash.
On Sept. 18, James and two other people were killed after a small plane crashed near Franklin, N. C., that afternoon.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame posted a tribute to James via Instagram in the wake of his death, writing, “We mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James (‘Jesus, Take The Wheel’ / ‘When The Sun Goes Down’), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on Sept. 18. He was 57.”
Jason Aldean Posted a Tribute to Brett James
On Instagram, Jason Aldean honored James at a concert that night, sharing the sad news before performing the song “Two Night Town,” which James helped write.
“Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight,” Aldean captioned his update alongside a video of the concert tribute. “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. 💔.”
Carrie Underwood Also Honored James
“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 alongside a carousel of Instagram photos featuring the late songwriter.
In her lengthy post, she added, “Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift. I’m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett. Loe you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
Dierks Bentley Remembered James, Too
Meanwhile, Dierks Bentley also took to Instagram with a post dedicated to James. He opened up about working with the songwriter on the track “I Hold On.”
“Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” Bentley declared.
“I brought a couple of rough[l]y sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him,” the country crooner continued. “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.”
To conclude his tribute, Bentley shared, “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 @brettjamessongs.”
Sara Evans Wrote a Tribute
Additionally, Sara Evans—whom James helped write her 2005 song “Cheatin’”—took to Instagram to share, “I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James.”
She added, “I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed. 💔.”
Josh Gracin Also Remembered Brett James
Former American Idol contestant Josh Gracin shared via Instagram, “I was struggling to connect with the songs being pitched for my first record until I was introduced to Brett’s writing. I went on to cut five of his songs for that debut album, and he quickly transcended far beyond where we both started.”
He added: “We later teamed up again for the second record. Not only did he produce half of it, but he also co-wrote four of the songs that made the album. His belief in me and the songs he allowed me to record helped carve out a space for me in country music. This is a tragic loss for his family and for the entire country music community.”
In addition to the country singers who paid tribute to James, he helped write many iconic songs, including Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” McGraw’s “Telluride,” Swift’s “A Perfectly Good Heart,” Kenny Chesney‘s “When The Sun Goes Down, Rascal Flatts‘ “Summer Nights,” and others.
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This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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