Carrie Underwood Mourns ‘Unfathomable’ Loss of Friend: There’s a ‘Hole’ That ‘Won’t Ever Go Away’

Carrie Underwood is grieving.

On Thursday, September 18, songwriter Brett James — who co-wrote multiple hits for the 42-year-old country star, including “Jesus Take The Wheel” — perished in a plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, according to WZTV Nashville. He was 57 years old.

The American Idol winner took to Instagram on Friday, September 19, and shared multiple photos of her and James in an Instagram carousel along with a lengthy caption honoring him.

“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,” Underwood wrote in part.

The top-charting artist also revealed how she and James bonded over their shared faith.

“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,” Underwood penned. “I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.”

“Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away,” she added. “It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.”