What happened?
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, was killed Thursday afternoon when his private Cirrus SR22T aircraft crashed in Franklin, North Carolina. His wife, Melody Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, also died in the crash.
The plane had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville and went down near Iotla Valley Elementary School around 3 p.m. No students or staff were harmed. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.
Who was Brett James?
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Brett James became one of Nashville’s most respected hitmakers. Over his three-decade career, he wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs for country and pop superstars including Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, and Dierks Bentley.
His most famous work, Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” won Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2007. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
Tributes pour in
The music community expressed shock and grief at his passing. Songwriter City founder Mike Severson remembered James as “one of the most accomplished songwriters of our time, but also a kind, genuine, and joyful human being.”
Fans and collaborators also highlighted his lasting influence on country music, where his lyrics helped shape careers and touch millions worldwide.
The family’s tragedy
James’ wife, Melody, often shared loving tributes to her daughter Meryl on social media. Just a day before the crash, she celebrated Meryl’s 28th birthday, writing: “You’re the MOST BEAUTIFUL AMAZING HUMAN inside and out! I’m humbled and grateful everyday for your shining presence in my life.”
Meryl, who was celebrating sobriety alongside her birthday, posted: “28 years old. 142 days sober. Extremely happy to be here.”
Their lives were cut short only hours later when the family plane crashed in rural Macon County.
What’s next?
The NTSB said investigators will examine the wreckage through the weekend before transporting the aircraft for further analysis. A cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
