The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the other victims as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. James’ death stunned the country music community, where he was revered as a prolific songwriter with a gift for capturing raw emotion. He founded Cornman Music, served on the board of the Country Music Association, and was a national trustee of The Recording Academy. “Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight,” country singer Jason Aldean wrote on X. Honored to have met him and worked with him.” Dierks Bentley called him “a total legend” whose work shaped a generation of country music.