Brett James, the Grammy-winning country music songwriter, tragically passed away on September 18, 2025, at the age of 57. He was one of three individuals aboard a Cirrus SR22T aircraft that crashed near Franklin, North Carolina, shortly after departing from Nashville, Tennessee. Fortunately, the crash did not affect anyone on the ground, but James’ sudden death has left the music community in mourning.
Career Highlights
Born on June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, Brett James initially pursued a career in medicine before discovering his true passion for music. He signed with Career Records in 1995 and released his self-titled debut album. While his solo career had moderate success, James truly excelled as a songwriter. Over the years, he wrote more than 300 songs for top artists, including Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and Kenny Chesney. His work earned him the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2007 for “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
James was also recognized as the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021, solidifying his legacy as one of country music’s most influential songwriters.
Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Brett James’ net worth was estimated to be around $20 million. His wealth primarily came from royalties generated by his extensive songwriting catalog, which includes numerous chart-topping hits. In addition to royalties, he had investments in music publishing and production, further contributing to his financial success.
