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Grammy-award-winning songwriter Brett James<\/a>, known for writing Carrie Underwood<\/a>\u2019s hit \u201cJesus, Take the Wheel\u201d (2005), died in a plane crash on Thursday in North Carolina, according to ABC News<\/a>. He was 57.<\/p>\n WLOS<\/a> noted James was on board a small-engine plane that went down in Macon County near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. on Thursday. James was one of three people killed in the crash, including Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. The National Transport Safety Board is currently investigating<\/a> the crash.<\/p>\n Brett James Cornelius was born on June 5, 1968. He initially intended to pursue a career in medicine, but left medical school in the early 1990s to become a musician. James signed to Career Records, a subsidiary of Arista Nashville, in 1995 and released a solo album. From there, he would be credited for over 495 songs, including writing for country artists such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Martina McBride.<\/p>\n \u201cJesus, Take The Wheel\u201d would earn two Grammy nominations, as well as winning for Best Country Song in 2006. James was inducted as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.<\/p>\n ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) posted a tribute<\/a> to the late singer\/songwriter, stating, \u201cBrett was a trusted collaborator to country\u2019s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters. Brett, your ASCAP family misses you dearly. Thank you for your unforgettable music.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the original article on NJ.com<\/a>. Add NJ.com<\/a> as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nRelated coverage:<\/b><\/h2>\n