Together in Final Moments: Songwriter Brett James Was With Wife & Stepdaughter in Plane Crash

While the music world is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, devastating details are emerging. James is remembered for his timeless country hits and deep love for family. Now, as per Nashville’s WZTV, James, 57, was on board a small plane that crashed in Franklin, North Carolina, on September 18, alongside his wife, Melody Carole Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28. The tragic accident happened near Iotla Valley Elementary School around 3 p.m. local time, according to Nashville’s WZTV.

The Cirrus SR22T aircraft had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at 12:41 p.m. and went down just over two hours later in an open field near the school. While the Macon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed no students or staff were harmed, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that there were no survivors. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed James’ death in a statement shared on social media: “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.”

Wife Melody & Stepdaughter Meryl Identified Among Victims

Multiple outlets, including the New York Times and Daily Mail, reported that James’ wife, Melody, and her daughter, Meryl, were also on board. The tragedy came just one day after Meryl celebrated her 28th birthday.

On Instagram, Melody had honored her daughter with a heartfelt post: “Happy Birthday, my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma! You’re the MOST BEAUTIFUL, ULTIMATELY AMAZING HUMAN inside and out! God has already used you for His Kingdom in so many ways and so much more to come!”

Meryl herself wrote on Instagram, “28 years old.✨ 142 days sober.✨ Extremely happy to be here 🤍✨🫶🏼.”

Brett James’ Final Instagram Posts Highlighted Family Joy

In the months leading up to the tragedy, James had shared heartwarming glimpses of family life on Instagram. On June 16, he posted a joyful photo surrounded by family and friends, writing, “Such an amazing Father’s Day!!” Just days earlier, he had posted a beach selfie with Melody, captioning it, “So much fun with my love in the Bahamas.”

These posts now serve as bittersweet reminders of the joy James found in his family, making his sudden loss even more devastating for fans and loved ones.

Country Stars Pay Tribute to a Grammy-Winning Legacy

James leaves behind an unparalleled career, with 27 No. 1 hits to his name. He co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova,” as well as Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” Tim McGraw’s “Telluride,” and Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” among many others. He won a Grammy Award in 2007 for “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

McGraw remembered him in a heartfelt post: “So heartbroken to hear about the passing of Brett James. Brett was one of the most talented and most respected songwriters in Nashville and wrote some of my personal favorite songs I ever recorded, ‘Telluride’ and ‘Drugs or Jesus.’”

Dierks Bentley called him a true friend and collaborator, adding that their song “I Hold On “changed my life.” Aldean wrote, “Honored to have met him and worked with him.”

James is survived by his four adult children from his first marriage to Sandra Cornelius-Little. His legacy continues to live on through the countless songs that defined country music and touched fans around the world.

The post Together in Final Moments: Songwriter Brett James Was With Wife & Stepdaughter in Plane Crash appeared first on EntertainmentNow.