Carrie Underwood says death of songwriter Brett James in plane crash is ‘unfathomable’

Carrie Underwood is remembering her “Jesus, Take the Wheel” co-writer Brett James, who died in a plane crash Thursday.

Underwood paid tribute to her collaborator in an emotional Instagram post Friday afternoon.

“Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words,” she wrote in the post’s caption, alongside several photos of the two together.

Underwood called James “the epitome of ‘cool,'” sharing memories of working alongside songwriter and record producer, including hearing him sing Underwood’s song “Cowboy Casanova,” which he co-wrote.

For more than 20 years, James, 57, also a country musician, was known primarily as a songwriter for other country and pop artists, including Underwood, whose hit song, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” won Grammy Awards for best country song and best female country vocal performance.

Underwood also highlighted James’ generosity in the songwriting process. “I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room,” she wrote, adding that at the end of the songwriting process, he insisted they split the credit.

Underwood remembered James as someone who “loved the lord.”

“My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him,” she wrote.

Underwood added that she is taking her friend’s tragic death as a reminder that “we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.”

James was one of three people killed in a small plane crash in North Carolina, according to multiple people close to him.

A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The field was adjacent to the Macon County Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said.