The music world is in mourning following the tragic death of Grammy Award-winning songwriter Brett James, who was killed Thursday afternoon in a private plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, along with his wife, Melody Wilson, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson.
Authorities say James, 57, was piloting his Cirrus SR22T when the aircraft went down in an open field near Iotla Valley Elementary School. Fortunately, no students or staff were injured. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.
The tragedy is especially heartbreaking, coming just one day after Meryl Wilson’s 28th birthday. On Wednesday, Melody posted a loving tribute to her daughter on Instagram, writing, “Happy Birthday my Love!! How blessed am I to be your Momma! You’re the most beautiful, amazing human inside and out!”
Meryl, who had proudly marked 142 days of sobriety, shared her own hopeful post that day: “28 years old. 142 days sober. Extremely happy to be here.” Less than 24 hours later, she, her mother, and Brett boarded the small plane in Nashville, departing from John C. Tune Airport—but they never made it to their destination.
James and Melody married in August 2021, a joyful milestone she celebrated online, calling herself “lucky” to have found him. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and music—often sharing photos of trips, golf outings, and quiet moments at home.
Beyond his personal life, Brett James leaves behind a towering musical legacy. A prolific songwriter, he co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel”, a faith-filled anthem that earned him a Grammy Award and became one of country music’s defining songs. His songwriting credits also include hits for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Nick Jonas, and the Backstreet Boys.
Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, James released multiple Billboard-charting singles of his own and was admired across genres for his deep understanding of storytelling through music.
Fellow songwriter Jessi Alexander, known for penning “The Climb” for Miley Cyrus, paid tribute to her friend, saying, “Music Row will never be the same.”
As family, friends, and fans grieve, many find comfort in the message that defined Brett’s greatest song — “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” His legacy of faith, love, and creativity continues to inspire all who knew him and all who have been touched by his music.
