Jason Aldean and more country stars react

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James died following a plane crash on Thursday.

James, 57, was with his partner, Melody Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, when the aircraft went down near North Carolina’s Iotla Valley Elementary School, according to the Daily Mail. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shared that there were no survivors from the crash.

“A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 18. Three people were on board,” the statement said.

The FAA also confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board will open an investigation into the incident.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office released their own a statement on the tragic accident.

“To the parents that have children that attend Iotla school. The students, and staff are safe. There was an airplane accident on the neighboring property,” the sheriff’s office detailed. “Again all students and staff are safe.”

James worked with some of country’s top talent throughout his career. He had a hand in writing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” Jason Aldean‘s “The Truth,” Rascal Flatts‘ “Summer Nights” and Kenny Chesney‘s “When The Sun Goes Down.”

In his Instagram bio, James wrote, “Twenty seven #1 songs.”

Many stars have paid tribute following the news of his death. Keep reading for the touching tributes.

Dierks Bentley

“Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” the artist, 49, wrote on Instagram. “I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him.”

“When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it,” continued Bentley. “It was one of the first times we wrote and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so. Our friendship and that song changed my life. 💔 Prayers for his family.”

Jason Aldean

“Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight. I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life,” the country icon, 48, penned on X. “Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family. 💔.”

Josh Gracin

“I was struggling to connect with the songs being pitched for my first record until I was introduced to Brett’s writing. I went on to cut five of his songs for that debut album, and he quickly transcended far beyond where we both started,” the former “American Idol” contestant, 44, penned.

“We later teamed up again for the second record,” continued Gracin. “Not only did he produce half of it, but he also co-wrote four of the songs that made the album. His belief in me and the songs he allowed me to record helped carve out a space for me in country music. This is a tragic loss for his family and for the entire country music community.”

Karen Fairchild

The Little Big Town member, 55, wrote on her Instagram Stories, “Rest in peace friend. You left us too soon.Our hearts are broken and our prayers are with your family.”

Fairchild also shared a piece of paper that read, “Now more than ever, tell the people you love, that you love ’em,” signed “Brett James.”

Sara Evans

“I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James,” the singer, 54, wrote on Instagram. “I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed. 💔”

Fellow musician Gavin DeGraw inquired below the post: “Oh no. How did this happen? One of the great ones.”