America lost one of its most beloved Christian country music songwriters when Grammy winner Brett James died in a tragic plane crash, taking with him the creative force behind faith-filled hits that touched millions of hearts. Tragic Loss of Musical Pioneer Brett James Cornelius died September 18, 2025, when his single-engine aircraft crashed near an elementary school close to Macon County Airport in Franklin, North Carolina. The 57-year-old songwriter was traveling with two passengers who also perished in the crash. James had built an extraordinary career writing songs that celebrated traditional American values, faith, and family—themes that resonated deeply with conservative audiences nationwide. Faith-Centered Legacy in Music James’s most famous composition, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” became a cultural phenomenon that reinforced Christian values in mainstream country music. The Grammy-winning song helped establish Carrie Underwood as a major force in country music while delivering a powerful message about surrendering control to divine guidance. This song exemplified James’s ability to craft lyrics that spoke to America’s heartland, celebrating faith over secular humanism that has increasingly dominated popular culture. From Medicine to Musical Ministry Born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1968, James initially pursued medicine before following his calling to music. His decision to leave medical school and focus on songwriting demonstrates the kind of risk-taking and personal responsibility that conservatives admire. After signing with Career Records in 1995, James transformed from a struggling recording artist into Nashville’s most prolific songwriter, penning hits for Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, and dozens of other artists. James founded Cornman Music and Believer Artist Management, building businesses that supported emerging talent while maintaining creative control. His entrepreneurial success reflected conservative principles of self-reliance and free enterprise. Through his companies, James influenced industry standards and helped develop artists who shared his commitment to authentic American music values. Industry Leadership and Conservative Values Beyond songwriting, James served on boards of prestigious organizations including the Nashville Songwriters Association International and the Country Music Association. His leadership roles allowed him to advocate for traditional country music values against industry trends toward pop crossover and politically charged messaging. James consistently supported artists and songs that celebrated family, faith, and patriotism rather than the divisive social agendas increasingly common in entertainment. Rest in peace Brett! That’s a beautiful song!! Brett James, Grammy-winning 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' songwriter, dies in North Carolina plane crash https://t.co/g3PVKqgdCr — Darkhorse (@RealDonaldIsaac) September 19, 2025 The music industry has lost a champion of conservative values who proved that faith-based content could achieve both commercial success and cultural impact. James’s catalog of over 500 recorded songs will continue influencing country music, but his absence will be deeply felt among artists and industry leaders who shared his commitment to traditional American principles. His legacy reminds us that authentic storytelling rooted in timeless values will always find an audience hungry for truth and meaning. Sources: Brett James – Wikipedia Nashville Songwriters Association International – Brett James Jesus, Take the Wheel – Wikipedia