Kenny Chesney Pays Emotional Tribute To Brett James, His “Brother Of The Sun”

On Monday (September 22), Kenny Chesney paid a heartfelt tribute to his close friend and frequent co-writer, Brett James, who tragically died in a small-plane crash on September 18 at age 57. Reflecting on the unique creative bond he shared with his “Brother Of The Sun,” Chesney fondly recalled writing hits like “Reality” and “Out Last Night” with James “on the same afternoon sitting on my pool deck in the Virgin Islands two days after Christmas.” Chesney expressed his deep grief over the loss, while acknowledging James’ significant impact on his career. “It’s hard to process his creative soul being gone,” Chesney wrote. “It will be a void in my life and creativity forever. I’ve never known writing songs or being on the road without him. Half the songs in my shows are songs he wrote or songs we wrote together.” A Grammy winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, James was a respected figure in country music who also worked with artists like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, leaving a lasting legacy honored by Chesney and the music industry. (Billboard)