Country star Kenny Chesney is mourning the sudden and devastating loss of his longtime friend, Brett James.
James, whose songwriting credits shaped some of the biggest hits in country music, was confirmed dead in a tragic plane crash that also killed his wife and stepdaughter on Sept. 18. He was 57.
In a heartfelt tribute shared on X (formerly Twitter), Chesney remembered the deep creative bond they shared for decades.
“A very difficult goodbye to my Brother Of The Sun Brett James,” Chesney, 57, wrote.
“I haven’t wanted to post cause I didn’t want to believe it. Brett and I shared a unique bond. A Brotherhood. A kinship.”
The duo created several beloved hits together, some of which Chesney recalled were written in a single afternoon.
“We wrote Reality and Out Last Night on the same afternoon, sitting on my pool deck in the Virgin Islands two days after Christmas,” he said.
James, whose songwriting credits included other chart-toppers like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” was more than a collaborator for Chesney – he was family.
Chesney acknowledged how much of James’ songwriting is showcased in his set lists.
“Half the songs in my shows are songs he wrote or songs we wrote together. So it’s impossible for me to do shows moving forward and not think about him.”