Football announcer and analyst Kirk Herbstreit revealed he learned of close friend and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Brett James’ death while calling the Bills’ 31-21 win over the Dolphins on Thursday night.
“Was calling a game [Thursday] night when I got the news on a text that Brett was in a plane crash and didn’t make it,” Herbstreit posted to X on Friday morning. “Living in Nashville, I’ve been very fortunate to meet a lot of incredible people…Brett was certainly that-one of the most talented and yet humble and down to earth guys I’ve met.”
James, 57, was one of three people who died in a plane crash Thursday in North Carolina.
James’ 59-year-old girlfriend, Melody Wilson, and her 28-year-old daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, were the other two who died in the crash, officials said Friday.
The three were inside of a single-engine Cirrus SR22T plane that departed Nashville before crashing in Franklin, N.C., per newschannel5.com.
James wrote Carrie Underwood’s No. 1 hit and Grammy Award-winning song, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” along with Taylor Swift’s “A Perfectly Good Heart,” among other tunes.
His collaborators included Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean and the Backstreet Boys.
Herbstreit noted in his post that James is part of one of his fondest memories.
“He was a legend as a songwriter and one of the most respected people in that town. He sang at my 50th along with Casey Beathard-such a good man,” Herbstreit wrote. “Just heartbreaking-my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they cope with this unthinkable reality. ????????”
Herbstreit, 56, calls college football games for ESPN and NFL games for Amazon Prime.
Thursday’s game saw him behind the mic for Amazon Prime, alongside partner Al Michaels.
He is set to join the ESPN “College GameDay” crew for Saturday’s show from Coral Gables, Fla., where Miami will host in-state rival Florida.
He posted a video before Thursday’s game showing all the travel he does — alongside his beloved dog, Peter — to make his various football-related appearances.