Carrie Underwood shared an emotional homage to songwriter Brett James on Thursday after his “immeasurable” death at age 57.
The two collaborated together on “Yes, Take the Wheel,” the first single from Underwood’s 2005 debut album, and the most famous “Yes, Take the Wheel.”
“The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too much to put into words,” the American Idol winner wrote on Friday along with her and James’ photo carousel.
Underwood, 42, described the record producer as “a microcool” and “good man,” joked that despite always wearing a motorcycle helmet, he had always had “fully involved” hair.
“I loved listening to him sing ‘Cowboy Casanova’.
She also shared her precious memories of James and insisted on splitting songwriting credits “evenly” with her, writing 75% of the tracks.
“He insisted that everything was equal. He was just that kind of guy…”
The “good girl” diva writes that her only “comfort” during this tragic period is knowing that James “loves the Lord.”
“My favorite song for singing our songs are songs that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so authentic and pure.
She described his death as “a hole in all of us who feared I wouldn’t leave,” and asked her followers to “please for all of us who were blessed enough to get to know his family, friends and Brett.”
“I love you, man. I’ll see you again someday,” she concluded.
Grammy winners, who are also country superstar songwriters like Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Jason Alden, died in a plane crash along with his wife and stepdaughter.
The Cirrus SR22T, a James-registered small-engine plane, went down near Iotra Valley Elementary School in Franklin, North Carolina, after departing Thursday afternoon before Nashville time, WLOS reported.
James and his wife Melody Carole Wilson, 59, were celebrating their daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson’s 28th birthday a day before the fatal crash.
“Happy birthday my love!! Are you blessed to be your mom!” Melody, who married James in August 2021, wrote on Instagram on Wednesday along with the carousel in Merrill’s photo.
“You are the most beautiful and amazing person! I am humble and grateful for your illustrious presence in my life every day!
Merrill wrote on her Instagram page: “I’m 28 years old.”
James was survived by four adult children he shared with his first wife, Sandra Cornelius Little.
