‘Jesus take the wheel’ – Grammy-winning songwriter dies in plane crash

Grammy-winning songwriter, Brett James Cornelius, known for penning some of United States’ music’s biggest hits, was killed Thursday when a small plane registered in his name went down in North Carolina. He was 57.

Cornelius s, a Columbia, Missouri native, co-wrote chart-toppers such as Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” and Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker’s “When the Sun Goes Down.”

According to preliminary findings from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Cirrus SR22T single-engine aircraft crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Sept. 18.

All three people on board—James, Melody Carole, and Meryl Maxwell Wilson—were pronounced dead at the scene, the agency said. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed its troopers responded to the site around the same time.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have opened an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office noted the crash occurred beside Iotla Valley Elementary School. In a Facebook post, officials assured the community:”To the parents that have children that attend Iotla school. The students, and staff are safe. There was an airplane accident on the neighboring property. Again all students and staff are safe.”

Cornelius had once pursued medicine, enrolling at Baylor University and later the University of Oklahoma’s medical school before music redirected his path. In a 2007 interview with The Oklahoman, he recalled receiving a $90 pawn shop guitar as a gift during college.

“As soon as I learned three chords, I just thought it’d be fun to write a song with ’em,” he said. “I just kind of did it for fun, and I certainly never dreamed it would be a job.”

After signing with Arista Nashville’s Career Records, he released a debut album in 1995, but by the early 2000s he had built a reputation as one of Nashville’s most consistent hitmakers. He won a Grammy for “Jesus Take The Wheel” in 2006, and was twice named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year, in 2006 and 2010.

Even decades into his career, James continued releasing his own music. In 2020, he put out “I Am Now,” his first EP in over 20 years. Its lead track, “True Believer,” was deeply personal.

“Having written songs for other artists for so long, I’ve gotten used to not writing from personal experience,” he told Billboard. “When ‘True Believer’ started to fall out of the sky in my studio, though, I knew immediately that it was for my daughter, Clare. I really just started playing that guitar riff and the words and melody fell out in an hour or so.”

Tributes poured in from across the country music world. Jason Aldean, who recorded “The Truth” with Cornelius, shared on X:”I was heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight. I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family.”

Singer Sara Evans also posted on Instagram:”I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.”

Cornelius is survived by his wife, Sandra, and their four children.

(US TODAY)