“…So give me one more chance. And save me from this road I’m on. Jesus, take the wheel….” Carrie Underwood’s voice might have made this song a national sensation 20 years ago. But the words that poured were all Brett James’, as fans called the song, “beautiful beyond words.” That was just the beginning, as James went on to amass over 494 recorded compositions and shaped modern country music for good. Yesterday, the world learned the devastating news that the masterful craftsman tragically died in a plane crash at just 57, leaving behind a legacy of lyrics that carried America through love and hope.

Authorities on September 18th at 3 PM reported about a plane crash in North Carolina that had three occupants, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the three people were Brett James, Melody Carole, and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. Tributes are now pouring in for James, who died at a relatively young age of 57, with country musician Dierks Bentley sending an emotional message. “Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend.” Kirk Herbstreit, too, has remembered the country music legend fondly, commemorating him in an X post.

“Was calling a game last night when I got the news on a text that Brett was in a plane crash and didn’t make it. Living in Nashville, I’ve been very fortunate to meet a lot of incredible people…Brett was certainly that-one of the most talented and yet humble and down-to-earth guys I’ve met,“ wrote Kirk Herbstreit on X. Kirk, although born in Centerville, Ohio, moved to Nashville in 2011, and that’s where he got the chance to meet James.

Brett James, on the other hand, was born in Columbia, Missouri, but spent much of his life in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming one of the most revered figures. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing his contributions and the wider impact he had on country music. Right from launching his first solo for Arista Nashville to shifting into songwriting, the city has been blessed with his work, as he left the University of Oklahoma mid-way to pursue his music career in Nashville. Kirk Herbstreit, himself a recognized name in football, met James while living there and remembers it fondly.

“He was a legend as a songwriter and one of the most respected people in that town. He sang at my 50th along with Casey Beathard-such a good man. Just heartbreaking-my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they cope with this unthinkable reality,” said Kirk. James’ work to infuse pop sensibilities and faith elements in his songs was a breakthrough in itself as his work expanded boundaries. Right from a Latin crossover with Rubio to helping Taylor Swift’s re-release of her self-titled debut album, James always looked for a new frontier. And while ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’ became a national sensation and earned widespread recognition for James, he had several other notable contributions, making his legacy immortalized in the country music scene.

Brett James’ impact on the surrounding people is as profound as his songs

In 2000, James’ “Who am I” was released with Jessica Andrews and earned widespread acclaim for being an anthem on identity. Then, in 2001, “Blessed” was released with Martina McBride, quickly becoming a top-5 hit and getting a Grammy nomination. 2004’s “When the Sun Goes Down” is also one of the most notable works for James, which became a No. 1 crossover, blending beach vibes and pop hooks. The hits have made Brett James a powerful symbol of empowering female artists and mentoring emerging talent, which will undoubtedly remain strong in decades to come. Bentley, who collaborated with James for his song “I Hold On” after the death of his father, remembered how James had a tremendous impact on his song.

“The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. It was one of the first times we wrote, and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so. Our friendship and that song changed my life,” said Bentley.

While James might have left the world, his songs will speak the stories he always wanted to tell. His story of ditching his medical career midway and becoming a musician still inspires people to follow their dreams, and the groundwork he has laid in the music world will always be remembered.