Heartbreaking Moment: Carrie Underwood’s Tearful Tribute to Late Songwriter Brett James Stuns Grand Ole Opry Crowd

In the hallowed halls of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, where the ghosts of country legends whisper through every note, Carrie Underwood delivered a performance that transcended music and plunged straight into the raw ache of human loss. On October 24, 2025, during the Opry’s centennial birthday celebration, the country superstar took the stage for what fans expected to be another powerhouse set. Instead, they witnessed a moment of unfiltered vulnerability: Underwood breaking down mid-song while dedicating her iconic hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” to her late friend and collaborator, songwriter Brett James. The crowd fell into a stunned silence, many wiping away tears as Underwood’s voice cracked under the weight of grief. It was a tribute that didn’t just honor a song—it immortalized a bond, a legacy, and a man whose melodies had shaped the soul of country music.

The Grand Ole Opry, turning 100 this year, has long been a sanctuary for storytelling through song. That Friday night, the venue buzzed with a lineup of Opry stalwarts including Junior Brown, Shaun Cassidy, John Foster, and Mark Wills. Underwood, an Opry member since 2008, anchored the evening with her signature blend of grit and grace. Dressed in a stunning royal blue mini dress adorned with hand-stitched floral and beaded embellishments by designer Mariandrée Gaitán, she commanded the spotlight. But as she transitioned into “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” the air shifted. Her voice, usually a force of nature, trembled. She paused, microphone in hand, to share a few words about James, her eyes glistening under the stage lights. “Tonight, I want to honor my friend Brett James,” she said, her words barely above a whisper. The dedication poured out like a confession, raw and unscripted, before she launched into the chorus. Fans in attendance later described the hush that followed as “deafening”—a collective holding of breath as Underwood fought back sobs, her performance a delicate balance between heartbreak and homage.

What made the moment so profoundly moving was its timing. Just over a month earlier, on September 18, 2025, Brett James had perished in a tragic plane crash in North Carolina. The single-engine Cirrus SR22T aircraft, departing from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, plummeted near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, claiming the lives of James, 59, his wife Melody Carole, and stepdaughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson. James, a Grammy-winning songwriter and Opry member himself, left behind an ex-wife, Sandra Cornelius, and four children—three sons and a daughter, Clare. The news rippled through Nashville like a thunderclap, silencing a city built on song. Underwood, who had co-written several hits with him, was among the first to eulogize publicly. In an Instagram post shortly after the crash, she shared a collage of photos spanning their two-decade friendship, captioning it: “Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends, and our music community is too great to put into words.” She painted vivid portraits of their collaboration: James arriving at her cabin on his motorcycle, helmet-tousled hair somehow always perfect, ready to craft verses that felt like gospel truths.

Brett James wasn’t just a songwriter; he was the architect of anthems that defined modern country. With 27 No. 1 hits under his belt, his credits read like a who’s who of the genre. For Underwood alone, he co-penned career-defining tracks like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (2005), “Cowboy Casanova” (2009), “Something in the Water” (2014), and “Church Bells” (2016). The former, released exactly 20 years prior to Underwood’s Opry tribute—on October 18, 2005—catapulted her from American Idol winner to global icon. Co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, and produced by Mark Bright, the ballad of a desperate mother surrendering to faith amid a snowy highway crisis resonated with millions. It earned a Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2007, selling over 3 million copies and becoming a staple at weddings, funerals, and Opry encores.

James’s influence extended far beyond Underwood. He penned “When the Sun Goes Down” for Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, “The Truth” for Jason Aldean, and hits for Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, and Rascal Flatts. In a 2023 podcast, James reflected on “Jesus, Take the Wheel” with humility: “We didn’t know who Carrie Underwood was. We were just trying to write something we thought was a good song that day.” Little did they know it would become a vessel for faith and fortitude, themes that Underwood leaned into during her dedication. “Brett loved the Lord,” she wrote post-crash. “Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.”

The Opry performance wasn’t Underwood’s first nod to James since his passing. On October 18, marking the song’s 20th anniversary, she shared a reflective post on social media, thanking the co-writers and producer while weaving in grief. “This song changed my life and has meant so much to me over the years,” she wrote. “I’m truly blessed to be able to continue singing this beautiful song.” She even dedicated a SiriusXM countdown on her Carrie’s Country channel to his memory, curating a playlist of his collaborations as a form of communal healing. “I chose to make this countdown about remembering Brett James, because I feel like it is healing,” she explained on air. “You just can’t lose somebody like that without a few tears.” At his funeral, Underwood had sung “Jesus, Take the Wheel” once more, a private rite that made the public Opry rendition feel like a sacred encore.

As the final notes faded that October night, the Opry crowd erupted—not in applause at first, but in a wave of sniffles and embraces. Social media lit up almost immediately. On X (formerly Twitter), fans shared clips and reactions, amplifying the moment’s intimacy. “Carrie Underwood got choked up at the Opry as she dedicated her performance of ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ to one of its songwriters, Brett James,” posted Country Rebel, garnering thousands of likes and reposts. Another user, @MollyVegas, linked to coverage with a simple, heartfelt share: “Carrie Underwood Dedicates Opry Performance Of ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ To Late Songwriter Brett James.” Underwood herself posted a photo from the stage, writing: “Such a sweet Friday at the @opry! Tonight I got to honor my friend, Brett James … I’m blessed to have known him and I get the gift of singing his words and melodies for the rest of my life. ❤️ Thanks to all who love the #GrandOleOpry as much as I do! #Nashville.” The post, capturing her mid-performance glow amid evident emotion, racked up over 800 likes and 40,000 views within hours.

The outpouring extended beyond fans. Fellow artists and industry insiders mourned James’s “cool” persona and unmatched talent. “Brett was the epitome of ‘cool,'” Underwood echoed in tributes, evoking memories of songwriting sessions that blended spirituality with swagger. His death, alongside his family’s, underscored the fragility of life—a theme echoed in the very songs he helped create. As one X user noted in a viral thread, “Her heartfelt performance honors their creative bond and his timeless music. ❤️🎶 What’s your favorite song they wrote together?” Responses flooded in: “Jesus, Take the Wheel” topped the list, but nods to “Cowboy Casanova” and “Something in the Water” highlighted James’s versatility.

Underwood’s emotional display at the Opry also marked a personal milestone. Just days later, on October 30, she accepted a plaque for breaking Shania Twain’s record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, a testament to her enduring reign. Yet, in interviews, she credited collaborators like James for her trajectory. “I’m truly blessed,” she told HELLO! magazine, her voice steady but eyes betraying the fresh wound. The Opry night, though, stripped away the polish, revealing an artist grappling with loss in real time.

In country music, where heartbreak is both muse and mirror, Underwood’s tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the genre’s power to heal. James’s words, now sung through tears, carry on—not as echoes of sorrow, but as beacons of faith and friendship. As Underwood navigates her grief, fans hold space for the woman behind the mic: a mother, a wife, a survivor of her own storms, who found solace in surrender. “I’ll see you again someday,” she promised in her SiriusXM reflection, a line that could double as lyrics from one of James’s unfinished songs.

The video of that Opry moment has since gone viral, drawing millions of views across platforms. Click here to watch the touching tribute that brought the Opry—and a nation—to tears. In a world quick to scroll past pain, Underwood’s breakdown mid-performance lingers, a testament to love’s indelible melody.