Kenny Chesney Pens Emotional Tribute to Late Songwriter and Friend Brett James
Country music is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Brett James, who was tragically killed alongside his wife and stepdaughter in a plane crash in North Carolina on September 18. The Cirrus SR22T aircraft, registered to James, went down near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin after departing from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport. All three passengers were lost, but miraculously, no one on the ground was injured.
James—whose full name was Brett James Cornelius—was just 57 years old.
A Brilliant Songwriting Career
Brett James was one of Nashville’s most respected and versatile songwriters, penning 27 No. 1 hits across country and pop music. His credits include iconic songs like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood), “When the Sun Goes Down” and “Out Last Night” (Kenny Chesney), “The Truth” (Jason Aldean), and “The Man I Want to Be” (Chris Young).
Over the years, his songs were recorded by artists as diverse as Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Bon Jovi, and even the Backstreet Boys.
Originally on track to become a doctor, James left medical school to pursue music full-time after the release of his 1995 self-titled debut album. He later returned to school temporarily but continued writing songs—and soon found himself in demand. His success earned him induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, a recognition of his lasting impact on the craft.
Kenny Chesney Breaks His Silence
While tributes poured in from across the industry, fans waited to hear from one of James’s closest collaborators — Kenny Chesney. Together, the two created some of the biggest hits of Chesney’s career, including “You Save Me,” “Keg in the Closet,” “Flip Flop Summer,” “Just to Say We Did,” and more.
After several days of silence, Chesney finally shared a heartfelt message on social media — a post that read less like a statement and more like a letter to an old friend.
“A very difficult goodbye to my Brother Of The Sun, Brett James.
I haven’t wanted to post ’cause I didn’t want to believe it. Brett and I shared a unique bond. A brotherhood. A kinship. We wrote ‘Reality’ and ‘Out Last Night’ on the same afternoon sitting on my pool deck in the Virgin Islands two days after Christmas.
We had a lot of authentic life fun writing songs together over the years and I’m sure going to miss it. It’s hard to process his creative soul being gone. This kind of loss… I feel as if part of my creative soul went with him. It will be a void in my life and creativity forever.
I’ve never known writing songs or being on the road without him. Half the songs in my shows are songs he wrote or songs we wrote together. So it’s impossible for me to do shows moving forward and not think about him.
I can’t believe I’m saying it but adios Brett James. Thank you for being a lifer, for being a shirtless, sunburned troubadour, for your friendship, your songs, and all the laughs. Save me a seat at the After Party!”
Chesney closed the message with a verse from “Knowing You,” a song written by Brett James, Adam James, and Kat Higgins, featured on Chesney’s 2020 album Here and Now:
“God, we were so alive
I was a kid on a carnival ride
Holding my breath ’til the moment you were gonna leave me too soon
But I’d do it all over, ’cause damn it was good knowing you.”
Remembering a True Creative Soul
James’s death has sent shockwaves through the music community, leaving behind a legacy of melody, emotion, and generosity. From the stadiums filled with Kenny Chesney fans singing along to his lyrics, to the countless artists whose careers he helped shape, Brett James’s fingerprints are everywhere.
As Chesney so poignantly put it, “part of my creative soul went with him.”
But through every song he wrote — through every lyric that still plays on the radio — Brett James continues to live on.
Rest in peace, Brett James.
Your words, your melodies, and your spirit will echo through country music forever.
🎵 Before you go, fire up “Knowing You.”