Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Brett James died today (9/18) when his private plane crashed in North Carolina. He was 57. James is believed to be one of three people who perished in the accident.

ASCAP's Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010, James has served on the boards of the CMA and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Among his hundreds of cuts are Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova,” Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” and “When The Sun Goes Down” (f/Uncle Kracker), Jessica Andrews’ “Who I Am,” Rodney Atkins’ “It’s America,” Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights,” Chris Young’s “The Man I Want To Be” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up.” James tells some of his favorite songwriting stories in Country Aircheck's Hall of Fame profile from 2021 here.