A Grammy-winning songwriter behind some of country music’s biggest hits tragically died in a small-engine plane crash, robbing America of yet another talented artist who celebrated traditional values through his faith-based music.
Tragic Loss of Country Music Giant
Brett James Cornelius, 57, perished Thursday afternoon when his small-engine aircraft crashed near Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. The plane, registered to James, carried three people and departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville. The National Transportation Safety Board launched an immediate investigation into the fatal accident. James was a licensed pilot and aviation enthusiast, making this tragedy even more shocking to those who knew him personally.
The Grammy-winning songwriter’s death represents a devastating blow to Nashville’s music community and American culture at large. Born June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, James built an extraordinary career spanning over two decades. His songwriting genius produced more than 500 recorded songs and 27 number-one singles, touching millions of Americans with messages of faith, perseverance, and traditional values that resonate deeply with conservative audiences nationwide.
Champion of Faith-Based Music and Values
James earned his Grammy Award in 2006 for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” a powerful song celebrating faith and divine intervention that became an anthem for Christian Americans. His music consistently promoted family values, personal responsibility, and spiritual guidance—themes that mainstream media often ignores or dismisses. James understood that heartland America craved authentic music reflecting their beliefs and experiences, not the manufactured woke messaging plaguing today’s entertainment industry.
Beyond his creative achievements, James served as a board member of the Country Music Association and trustee of The Recording Academy, positions he used to advocate for fellow songwriters’ rights. His leadership in these organizations demonstrated his commitment to protecting the interests of hardworking artists against industry exploitation. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted James in 2020, recognizing his contributions to preserving authentic American musical traditions.
Industry Legacy and Federal Investigation
James’s influence extended across multiple genres, including country, pop, Latin, and Christian music, proving that quality songwriting transcends artificial industry boundaries. Through his companies Cornman Music and Believer Artist Management, he nurtured emerging talent while maintaining the integrity of traditional American music. His cross-genre success demonstrated that audiences hunger for authentic storytelling over the divisive political messaging that has infected much of modern entertainment.
#BREAKING Brett James, Grammy-winning songwriter, dies in North Carolina plane crash https://t.co/gvM0mQjoWo
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 19, 2025
The NTSB continues investigating the crash circumstances, with details about the other passengers and cause remaining undisclosed. Federal agencies must thoroughly examine this tragedy to ensure aviation safety standards protect private pilots throughout America. Industry peers, including ASCAP and country star Dierks Bentley, have praised James as “a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names” and “one of the best singer-songwriters in our town.” His death leaves an irreplaceable void in Nashville’s creative community and America’s cultural landscape.
Sources:
Nashville Songwriters Association International – Brett James Profile
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame – Brett James Inductee Page
The Independent – Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James dies in plane crash
Times of India – Who was Brett James, the country singer who passed away in a fatal plane crash