Brett James, the award-winning songwriter whose hits shaped the sound of country music in the 2000s, tragically died on September 18 in a single-engine plane crash in North Carolina. He was 57. Also killed in the crash were his wife and stepdaughter.
From Medicine to Music
Born Brett James Cornelius in Columbia, Missouri, he grew up with an eye on medicine, not music. After finishing high school in Oklahoma, James went on to graduate from Baylor University, expecting to become a physician. He even enrolled in the University of Oklahoma Medical School, but his passion for songwriting soon pulled him in a different direction.
In 1995, James signed with Arista Records under one of its subsidiaries, pursuing a career as a recording artist. Though a few of his singles reached the charts, his contract ended just three years later.
Struggles and Breakthrough
By the late 1990s, James found himself at a crossroads. Returning to medical school seemed like the safe choice, but fate had other plans. A modest publishing contract gave him the opportunity to prove himself, and within a year he began landing cuts with major artists. This success convinced him to leave medical school for good and dedicate his life to music.
A Hitmaker of the 2000s
The early 2000s marked a turning point. James co-wrote Jessica Andrews’ No. 1 hit “Who I Am” and Martina McBride’s chart-topper “Blessed.” Soon after, he teamed up with Kenny Chesney, penning one of the superstar’s biggest hits, “When the Sun Goes Down.”
His songwriting legacy only grew stronger in 2006 with Carrie Underwood’s breakthrough No. 1 single “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Written alongside Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, the song not only launched Underwood’s career but also earned James and his co-writers a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.
James went on to write additional hits for Chesney, including “Out Last Night,” “Keg in the Closet,” and “Reality.” He also co-penned several more of Underwood’s fan favorites such as “Cowboy Casanova” and “Love Wins,” along with the Miranda Lambert duet “Somethin’ Bad.”
Other country stars who scored hits with James’ songs include:
- Rodney Atkins with “It’s America”
- Jason Aldean with “The Truth”
- Dierks Bentley with “I Hold On”
Bentley, remembering the collaboration, wrote on Instagram:
“I brought a couple of roughly sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about the day we wrote it.”
Beyond Songwriting
While best known as a hitmaker, Brett James also left his mark as a producer, overseeing Kip Moore’s debut album “Up All Night” and contributing to Taylor Swift’s deluxe edition debut track “A Perfectly Good Heart.”
In 2007, James founded Cornman Music, a publishing company created in partnership with Warner Chappell. The company has since expanded to include artist management, further cementing his influence in the music industry.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
A Lasting Legacy
From chart-topping singles to award-winning collaborations, Brett James’ songs defined an era of country music and touched millions of fans worldwide. His sudden passing is not only a heartbreaking loss for his family but also for the entire music community that continues to be shaped by his work.