He had more than 500 of his songs recorded, for albums with combined sales of more than 110 million copies, according to his Grand Ole Opry biography online.

The music community is mourning the loss of Brett James, a celebrated songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, after he died in a small-engine airplane crash. He was 57.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced James' death, confirming he was killed in the aircraft accident.

Authorities have released limited details about the crash, which occurred in a wooded area of southwestern North Carolina. According to the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Highway Safety Patrol, three people were on board at the time and there were no survivors.

James was renowned for penning some of country mu

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