MACON COUNTY(AP) — Grammy award-winning country songwriter Brett James, whose string of top hits includes “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and “When The Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney, died in a plane crash in North Carolina, authorities said Friday. James was on a Cirrus SR22T, which was registered to him under his legal name of Brett James Cornelius, according to information provided by the FAA. “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which he co-wrote for Underwood, earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song, among other honors. “Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight,” country singer Jason Aldean posted on X. They all wound up being love songs, but hopefully love songs with a twist, that haven’t all been written before.”