Brett James, the Grammy-winning country music songwriter known for hits like "Jesus, Take the Wheel," tragically died in a small plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, on September 18, 2025. He was 57 years old. The plane crash also claimed the lives of his wife, Melody Carole Wilson, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson. The aircraft, a Cirrus SR22T registered in James's name, crashed under unclear circumstances while attempting to land. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the accident. James was highly acclaimed for his songwriting and was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, honored in 2020. His passing has been widely mourned in the country music community.
