Nashville’s entire music community is mourning the loss of legendary songwriter Brett James Cornelius, who passed away on September 18, 2025, in Franklin, North Carolina, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy spanning more than two decades of hitmaking.
Born on June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, James built a remarkable career that included over 800 recorded songs appearing on albums with combined global sales exceeding 110 million copies.
Born in the heartland, Brett James crafted a songwriting empire spanning 800 recordings and 110 million albums sold worldwide.
James’s impact on country music was immeasurable, with 27 number-one singles and countless additional chart successes across multiple genres. His talent earned him a coveted spot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, the same year he released his personal album “I Am Now.”
Perhaps his most celebrated achievement came in 2006 when he won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” His success with sync licensing helped establish him as a master at creating music for media, generating substantial royalties from placements in film and television.
Throughout his career, James demonstrated versatility that transcended genre boundaries. He co-wrote hits ranging from Martina McBride’s “Blessed,” which reached #1 on country charts and #31 on pop charts in 2002, to Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up” and Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova.”
His collaborations included work with Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift, for whom he also served as a producer. His ability to consistently define artistic brands through authentic songwriting made him an invaluable mentor to emerging talent in the industry.
The industry repeatedly recognized James’s contributions, naming him ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year twice (2006 and 2010) and Music Row Magazine’s Songwriter of the Year in 2015. As a founding partner of Songwriter City, James dedicated himself to enriching the songwriting community through special performances and creative engagement. He received over 40 ASCAP hit song awards across country, pop, Latin, and Christian genres, and won the CMA Triple Play Award three times.
Beyond his creative output, James served the music community through an 18-year tenure on the Country Music Association Board of Directors and as a national trustee for The Recording Academy. His dedicated leadership and advocacy for songwriters’ rights extended to his active participation on the Nashville Songwriters Association International board.
He founded Cornman Music and Believer Artist Management, continuously nurturing emerging talent while advocating for songwriters’ rights.
His absence leaves an unfillable void in Nashville’s creative landscape, though his songs guarantee his voice will continue to resonate for generations.
