It took Kenny Chesney the better part of a week to muster up the strength to pay public tribute to his songwriting partner and close friend Brett James. James died last Thursday (Sept. 18) in a small-engine plane crash. What Other Big Country Songs Did Brett James Write? Read More: 13 Brett James Songs You've Known + Loved For YearsHe co-wrote nearly a dozen songs for Carrie Underwood's projects, including "Church Bells," "Cowboy Casanova," "The Champion" and her Miranda Lambert duet "Somethin' Bad." How Did Brett James Die?