Jason Aldean was among the first artists to tribute late songwriter Brett James on Thursday night (Sept. 18). The hitmaker learned about the songwriter's death just hours before a scheduled show in Lincoln, Neb.

Within a few hours, other artists including Dierks Bentley , Josh Gracin , Gary LeVox and Sara Evans would share their own personal memories of James, whose death in a North Carolina plane crash shocked the country music community.

How Did Brett James Die?

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed James' death in a plane crash with a post to social media on Thursday night.

The crash took place around 3PM local time in Franklin, N.C. (per WPDE-TV ).

While it occurred near an elementary school, no children or staff at the school were harmed.

Which Ja

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