Nearly 24 hours after a plane carrying Nashville songwriting legend Brett James crashed in North Carolina on September 18, 2025, Carrie Underwood has broken her silence, revealing how deeply she’s grieving her friend and collaborator. James, who was 57, co-wrote Underwood’s first hit after her “American Idol” win, “Jesus Take The Wheel,” and they’ve worked on many other songs in the two decades since.
James died in the small-engine plane crash, alongside his wife, 59-year-old Melody Carole Wilson, and his stepdaughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, who turned 28 the day before the crash, according to Page Six. He is survived by four adult children, whom he shared with his first wife, Sandra Cornelius-Little, the outlet reported.
In a social media post on September 19, Underwood asked fans to pray for James’ family, and wrote, “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.”
Carrie Underwood Says Losing Brett James Has Left a ‘Hole in All of Us That I Fear Won’t Ever Go Away’
Some of music’s biggest stars recorded songs by James, from Kenny Chesney to Kelly Clarkson, resulting in 27 number one hits. Among the hit songs he wrote with or for Underwood, per Spotify, were “Cowboy Casanova,” “Something in the Water,” and “Love Wins.”
Sharing multiple photos of herself with James over the last 20 years, Underwood wrote in her post that James “was the epitome of ‘cool.’ I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle…his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long. I always loved hearing him sing ‘Cowboy Casanova’ because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool.”
“He was a good guy,” Underwood continued. “I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room. We filled in the blanks and added a little melody and I told him after that I didn’t feel right splitting the credit evenly when he did most of the work. He wouldn’t have it. He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy…”
Underwood, who talked about the importance of her faith earlier this year, during her first season as a judge on “American Idol,” also noted that was something she shared with James.
“Brett loved the Lord,” she wrote. “Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.”
“Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away,” Underwood continued. “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,” she concluded. “Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
Thousands replied to Underwood’s tribute by liking her post or sharing comments, including “American Idol” season 23 finalist Breanna Nix, who wrote, “Heartbreaking beyond words. ❤️🩹What a beautiful tribute, Carrie. Prayers for his family.❤️”
In Addition to Carrie Underwood’s Hits, Artists in Multiple Genres Recorded Over 500 Songs Written by Brett James
Over 500 songs written by James — including 27 number one hits — have been recorded by some of the biggest stars in music, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI). Among the artists who’ve recorded his songs, per the organization, are Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Colbie Caillat, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Leona Lewis, Daughtry, and The Fray.
James won the 2006 Song of the Year Grammy for “Jesus Take The Wheel” and, according to the NSAI, he earned more than 40 ASCAP hit song awards during his career, spanning across country, pop, Latin, and Christian genres.
When James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in November 2021, Underwood surprised him at the ceremony to sing “Jesus Take The Wheel,” per Music Mayhem Magazine. James called his induction “the greatest honor of my life” and Underwood paid tribute to him on social media.
Multiple artists have paid tribute to James, including country stars Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley.
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Carrie Underwood Asks For Prayers as She Mourns ‘Unfathomable’ Loss of Brett James at 57