Grammy-winning singer-songwriter dies in small plane crash

US singer-songwriter Brett James has died successful a tiny level crash, according to euphony manufacture officials.

James, 57, released 1 solo medium successful the 1990s but was amended known for the hundreds of state songs helium worked connected down the scenes.

His astir celebrated was Jesus, Take The Wheel by Carrie Underwood, which earned him 2 Grammys for champion state opus and champion pistillate state vocal show successful 2007.

The state instrumentalist was connected committee a "small motor airplane" erstwhile it crashed connected Thursday, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame said successful a statement.

"We mourn the untimely nonaccomplishment of Hall of Fame subordinate Brett James, a 2020 inductee who was killed successful a small-engine airplane clang connected September 18," it wrote connected its Facebook page.

Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) besides posted an online tribute, describing him arsenic a "legendary songwriter and committee member" and adding: "The nonaccomplishment is profound."

According to formation data, the level was registered successful James's sanction and had 3 radical connected committee erstwhile it came down adjacent Franklin, North Carolina.

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it volition analyse the circumstances of the crash.

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James was good known successful the state euphony scene, moving with large artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney, and Martina McBride.

His enactment connected Jessica Andrews's opus Who I Am successful 2001 earned him his archetypal fig 1 single.

Among his different accolades were the Academy of Country Music (ACM) azygous of the year, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) state opus of the year, and NSAI opus of the year.

ASCAP paid tribute to him connected X, describing him arsenic a "trusted collaborator to country's top names and a existent advocator for songwriter".

Country prima Sara Evans's tribute connected Instagram read: "I americium perfectly devastated astatine the nonaccomplishment of 1 of the champion writers I've ever written with and recorded respective of his songs. Brett James. I'm praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and bittersweet day. He volition beryllium truthful missed."