Jason Aldean Remembers Songwriter Brett James After Tragic Death: “One of the Best to Ever Do It”
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Jason Aldean Remembers Songwriter Brett James After Tragic Death: “One of the Best to Ever Do It”
Jason Aldean is paying his respects to Brett James, the celebrated songwriter and producer who died in a small plane crash on Sept. 18 at age 57.
Jason Aldean Honors Late Songwriter Brett James with Emotional Onstage Tribute
Jason Aldean delivered a heartfelt musical tribute to Brett James, the GRAMMY-winning songwriter who tragically died in a plane crash on Sept. 18. The moment came during Aldean’s Thursday night concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, just hours after he learned of James’ passing.
Before introducing the song, Aldean paused to reflect. “This next song was one of the early ones in my career that really let people know who we were and what we were about,” he told the crowd. “We got some sad news right before we came on stage tonight. A longtime friend of ours — the guy who wrote this song — we found out died in a plane crash in North Carolina. He’s written a lot of things for us over the years.”
The Georgia native went on to acknowledge James’ contributions to his discography, including “Two Night Town” from Old Boots, New Dirt (2014) and “Grown Woman” from Relentless (2007), which features Miranda Lambert.
But Aldean said one particular song stood above the rest. “He also wrote this next one, which became one of the biggest of my career,” he explained, before dedicating the performance “to our boy, Mr. Brett James.”
Aldean then launched into “The Truth,” his chart-topping hit from the 2009 album Wide Open, co-written by James and Ashley Monroe.
Sharing a video of the moment online, Aldean added a touching message: “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. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family.”
James was 57 years old. He was one of three people killed in the North Carolina crash, with no survivors.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member was behind hundreds of country hits, among them Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova,” Kenny Chesney’s “When The Sun Goes Down” and “Out Last Night,” Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On,” Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights,” and Aldean’s own “The Truth.”
His sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the Nashville community, with artists and fellow songwriters flooding social media to share memories and honor his legacy.