Brett James’ poignant final Instagram posts featured his loved ones
Following his death with his family in a plane crash, it’s emerged Brett James’ poignant final Instagram posts featured his loved ones.
Brett James’ poignant final Instagram posts featured his loved ones.
The singer, 57, was killed in a plane crash in North Carolina while travelling with his wife, 55-year-old Melody Carole Wilson, and her daughter, 28-year-old Meryl Maxwell Wilson, when their private craft went down in a field outside Franklin, North Carolina, on Thursday (18.09.25) afternoon.
Flight records show the aircraft left John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at 12.41pm and crashed just over two hours later near Iotla Valley Elementary School.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were no survivors, with local outlets FOX 17 and WTVF-TV reporting the crash.
Brett’s final family posts have now emerged in the wake of the tragedy.
On 16 June, Brett posted a photo of himself surrounded by relatives on a deck at home, captioning it: “Such an amazing Father’s Day!!”
Days earlier, he shared a beach selfie with Melody, writing: “So much fun with my love in the Bahamas.”
Melody posted a birthday tribute to Meryl just days before the fatal plane crash.
She wrote: “Happy Birthday my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma! 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.”
Throughout his career, Brett became one of Nashville’s most successful writers, penning hits for leading country stars.
He co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s Jesus, Take the Wheel – which won the Grammy award for Best Country Song in 2007 – and “Cowboy Casanova”.
Brett also wrote 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, as well as Dierks Bentley’s I Hold On, Jason Aldean’s The Truth and Rascal Flatts’ Summer Nights.
Fellow artists shared tributes online.
Dierks wrote on Instagram: “Our friendship and that song changed my life,” referring to I Hold On.
Jason Aldean said on X: “Honored to have met him and worked with him.”
Tim McGraw posted: “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 Brett on 19 September, saying: “We’re mourning the loss of Brett James, co-writer of Jesus, Take the Wheel and When the Sun Goes Down and a 2-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year. 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.”
Brett is survived by his adult children and former wife Sandra Cornelius-Little.
