The music world mourns the loss of Brett James, the acclaimed songwriter behind the iconic hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel," who tragically died in a plane crash on Thursday. Authorities confirmed that James, whose full name was Brett James Cornelius, was among three fatalities in the accident near Franklin, North Carolina. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene at approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, identifying the other victims as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the crash. Images from the crash site showed the plane's tail registration number, N218VB, matching a plane owned by Brett Cornelius.
News of James's passing sent shockwaves through the country music community. The Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame, which inducted James in 2020, expressed its profound sorrow. Numerous artists took to social media to share tributes, highlighting James's immense talent and impact on their careers. Dierks Bentley, for example, described James as "one of the best singer-songwriters in our town," crediting their collaboration on "I Hold On" as a life-changing experience.
Beyond "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which earned Carrie Underwood a Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, James penned countless hits for a constellation of stars. His songs topped country charts for artists such as Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw, while his compositions also resonated with pop and rock audiences, finding their way onto albums by Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, and the Backstreet Boys. His journey to success was unique: after dropping out of medical school to pursue music, he briefly returned to his studies before a pivotal moment led him back to songwriting. The recording of his song "Love is a Sweet Thing" by Faith Hill reignited his career, a surprising turn of events given that he had previously thought he was done with the music industry. James's talent and determination left an undeniable mark on the landscape of modern music, a legacy that will continue to resonate for years to come.
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Originally published at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/brett-james-songwriter-jesus-take-wheel-many-hits-feared-dead-plane-cr-rcna232358
