(NewsNation) — Brett James, an acclaimed Grammy-winning country songwriter famous for tracks like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “When the Sun Goes Down,” tragically lost his life alongside two others in a plane crash on Thursday in Franklin, North Carolina.
According to Macon County officials, a single-engine aircraft went down near an elementary school around 3 p.m., with no survivors reported. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were three individuals on the plane. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame identified one of the victims as the 57-year-old James.
The aircraft was registered to Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, Tennessee. Billboard noted that the songwriter’s full name is Brett James Cornelius.
James’ biography on the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame site states that he hails from Columbia, Missouri, and had left medical school to follow his dreams in music, initially aiming to become a recording artist. He achieved fame through songwriting for top names in country music.
His extensive songwriting portfolio boasts over 300 major-label tracks, including “When the Sun Goes Down” performed by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, “Summer Nights” by Rascal Flatts, and the Grammy-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel” as sung by Carrie Underwood, which earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song.
James, who also collaborated with Taylor Swift and Bon Jovi, was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010.
The identities of the two others on the plane were not immediately released.
