Carrie Underwood Shares Heartfelt Tribute To Late Songwriter and Friend, Brett James: “I’ll See You Again Someday”

Carrie Underwood

Remembering the late, great Brett James.

Yesterday, September 18, the country music world lost a great singer and songwriter when Brett James, his wife, and stepdaughter were tragically killed in a plane crash in North Carolina.

According to authorities in Macon County, NC,  the Cirrus SR22T with tail number N218VB took off from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville shortly after noon on Thursday before crashing near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, North Carolina. Thankfully, all students and staff at the elementary school were safe, but all three passengers on the plane were killed in the crash. The aircraft was registered to James, whose full name was Brett James Cornelius.

Brett James got his start in the music industry after he decided to drop out of medical school at the University of Oklahoma after the release of his self-titled debut record in 1995. Two singles from the project charted, “Chasing Amy” and “After All,” which later led him to sign a record deal with Arista Nashville in the 2000s. However, James never released another record as a solo artist. Later in his career, he would go on to release a few singles, finding that his talent was as a songwriter more than a solo artist.

After his music career failed to take off, James signed a songwriting deal, but decided to return to medical school. James continued writing songs while attending medical school to fulfill his contract.

And thank goodness he did because he found himself having success at his side gig, scoring 33 songs recorded by major artists, so he decided to focus on songwriting once and for all. During his career, James penned 27 #1 hits including songs like “Jesus, Take The Wheel” for Carrie Underwood, “When The Sun Goes Down” and “Out Last Night” by Kenny Chesney, “The Truth” by Jason Aldean, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young, and “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert.

But that’s just the start, James wrote tunes for artists like Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dierks Bentley, Lorrie Morgan, and artists outside of the country realm like Bon Jovi and the Backstreet Boys.

Inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2020, the organization paid tribute to the famed songwriter after the news of his death broke.

“We mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James (“Jesus Take The Wheel” / “When The Sun Goes Down”), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on September 18. He was 57.”

Many artists have shared memories, heartfelt messages, and more since the news of Brett James broke. Some artists who have shared sentiments include Sara Evans, Jason Aldean, and more. While each tribute is beyond moving, Carrie Underwood’s recent post really tugs at the heartstrings.

Carrie Underwood and Brett James were frequent collaborators, with James penning songs from her catalog, including “Flat On The Floor,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Game On,” “Love Wins,” “Something In The Water,” and her famed (and previously mentioned) hit “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”

Carrie Underwood shared the following about James:

“Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends, and our music community is too great to put into words.

Brett was the epitome of ‘cool.’ I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle…his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long. I always loved hearing him sing “Cowboy Casanova” because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool.

He was a good guy. I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room. We filled in the blanks and added a little melody and I told him after that I didn’t feel right splitting the credit evenly when he did most of the work. He wouldn’t have it. He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy…

Brett loved the Lord. Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.

Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.

I’m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett.

Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”

Man, that tribute cuts deep.

While I never knew James personally, the picture that Underwood paints in her post shows the caring and genuine person that he was. James may no longer physically be with us, but the words he’s penned will keep his legacy alive.

Rest in peace.

While you’re here, play “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”