He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. He also received ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year honor in both 2006 and 2010.
James’ writing credits include: Martina McBride’s “Blessed,” Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova,” Rodney Atkins’ “It’s America,” and Uncle Kracker’s duet with Chesney, “When the Sun Goes Down.” He also co-wrote Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights” and “Love You Out Loud.”
Born on June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, James began his musical journey in the early 1990s after leaving medical school. Though he initially signed a solo deal with Career Records, a division of Arista Nashville, he soon shifted focus to songwriting.
Singer, songwriter and actress Carrie Underwood expressed grief over the loss of her longtime collaborator in a tribute on Instagram. She wrote that James’ death was “unfathomable,” adding, “Each day is a gift … Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.”
Rascal Flatts described James as “a brilliant songwriter and amazing man,” stating in an Instagram post that he “will be greatly missed.”
Country singer Jason Aldean, who collaborated with James on the song “The Truth,” honored him during a show in Lincoln, Nebraska. “He helped change my life,” Aldean said in a social media post of the performance.
