Who Was Brett James' Wife, Melody Carole? Married In 2021, Died In Plane Crash With Him And Daughter

Grammy Award-winning country songwriter, Brett James has died in a tragic plane crash. After the news went viral, details about his personal life came into the spotlight, including his marriage to his new wife. Melody Carole. The couple reportedly died with her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, in a tragic plane crash in North Carolina. For those unaware, the 57-year-old musician was known for writing chart-topping hits for stars like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and more. Here's everything to know about Melody Carole.

Who is Brett James' wife, Melody Carole? 

Brett James, a Nashville-based songwriter whose work earned him widespread acclaim, had been married to Melody since 2021. According to New York Times, the couple lived together in Tennessee and often shared glimpses of their life on social media. Melody, 59, had just celebrated her daughter Meryl's 28th birthday a day before the crash. Sharing a heartfelt birthday note and wishing her well for the future, Melody wrote:

"Happy Birthday, my Love!! How Blessed am I to be your Momma! You are the most beautiful, amazing human inside and out. I am humble and grateful for your shining presence in my life. Gold has already used you for his kingdom in so many ways and many more to come "

The pair had tied the knot on August 21, 2021. Melody had taken to her Instagram handle to mark the milestone on New Year's Day 2022 by sharing wedding photos online. She highlighted how it was an "awesome year!" Around the same time, Melody's son, Lucas, had also married Sierra, and she had got to welcome a daughter-in-law into the family. Melody often posted warm family moments but largely kept her personal and work life private, away from the limelight that surrounded her husband.

How did Melody Carole, her daughter, and Brett die in a tragic plane crash? 

On September 18, 2025, the family's joy turned to sorrow. The small aircraft carrying James, Melody, and Meryl crashed in an open field, according to officials. All three passengers died on impact. The FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Neighbors in the Franklin area told reporters that they saw emergency crews rush to the field where the plane went down. The news about the tragedy quickly spread across the music world, and several popular personalities, including Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Josh Gracin, and more, mourned his death.

More about Brett James' personal life 

Before saying 'I Do' to Melody Carole, Brett James had built a family with his first wife, Sandra Cornelius, known as Sandy. The couple shared four children, three sons and a daughter, Clare. As James rose to popularity with his work, Sandy stayed away from the spotlight and focused on their family. In 2009, James told The Oklahoman how Sandra was often the first to hear his new music, recalling how he played her When the Sun Goes Down the same day he wrote it. Little is known about divorce. 

We send our heartfelt condolences to Brett James, Melody Carole and Meryl Wilson's family in this difficult time. 

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