Brett James’ Bittersweet Final Instagram Posts Before Deadly Plane Crash Featured His Family

Brett James‘ final Instagram posts featured those he loved most.

The late Grammy-winning songwriter shared memories with his family months before he died in a plane crash on Sept. 18. On June 16, he captioned a photo of himself surrounded by others gathered on a backyard deck, “Such an amazing Father’s Day!!”

Days before the Father’s Day post, the country musician, who was 57, shared a selfie of himself and his wife, Melody Carole Wilson, on the beach. “So much fun with my love in the Bahamas,” he captioned the sunny photograph.

James, along with his wife Melody and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, died on Thursday in a plane crash outside of Franklin, N.C.

The crash occurred days after Meryl celebrated her 28th birthday. “Happy Birthday my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma!” Melody wrote on Instagram in a tribute packed with throwback photos.

“You’re the MOST BEAUTIFUL AMAZING HUMAN inside and out! I’m humbled and grateful everyday for your shining presence in my life! God has already used you for His Kingdom in so many ways and so much more to come! No words can express what a gift you are to me and everyone that KNOWS YOU❤️😘🎂🎉”

Flight records showed that the musician, whose full name was Brett James Cornelius, owned a plane that departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville yesterday at 12:41 p.m.

Just over two hours later, the plane crashed in an open field in Franklin, west of North Carolina’s Iotla Valley Elementary School. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that there were no survivors. FOX 17 and WTVF-TV reported on the fatal crash.

Throughout his career, James wrote music for Carrie Underwood, such as songs “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova,” Tim McGraw‘s “Telluride,” “Drugs or Jesus” and “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure with You.” Kenny Chesney‘s “When the Sun Goes Down,” “Out Last Night” and “Keg In the Closet”, “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean‘s “The Truth” and the Rascal Flatts song “Summer Nights.”

James received a Grammy for Best Country Song for writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel” in 2007, which was also nominated for Song of the Year.

His fellow country stars honored him online. Bentley, 49, paid tribute to James on Instagram. “Our friendship and that song changed my life,” he said of their collaboration, “I Hold On.” Aldean, 48, said, “Honored to have met him and worked with him” in a post on X. McGraw, 58, shared a lengthy tribute, writing, “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. Our family’s hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him.”

The  American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) paid tribute to James on Sept. 19 in an Instagram post. “We’re mourning the loss of Brett James, co-writer of ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ & ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ and a 2-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year,” the caption read.

“Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters. Brett, your ASCAP family misses you dearly. Thank you for your unforgettable music.”

James is survived by his adult children, whom he shares with ex-wife Sandra Cornelius-Little.