Songwriter Brett James tragically passed away on September 18, 2025, in an airplane crash. His loss deeply affected so many people in the country music community, including Kip Moore, who still deeply misses his close friend.
“I don’t know if there’s been anyone in my adult life that made a more profound impact on me,” Moore tells Billboard. “Brett and I were thick as thieves for probably the first four years that I was with [James’ publishing company] Cornman. There was a period of two years where I don’t think we went a day without hanging out, just writing songs and riding motorcycles. What I carry with me the most when I think about Brett is Brett got me to believe in myself when I didn’t.”
How Brett James Inspired Kip Moore’s ‘Reason to Believe’ Album
Moore was already recording what became his new Reason to Believe album, out now, when James was killed. The title track of the record is one Moore wrote with Dan Couch and Scott Stepakoff. It’s also one that James was a big fan of, even though he didn’t write it.
“It was the song that Brett thought should have been on Up All Night,” Moore says, referring to his debut album. “He said, ‘That is a massive hit record. You are out of your mind not to put this on a record…The melody is so strong that even if you miss on the recording, you’re good to go.’ And I was like, ‘No, man. It’s just gotta all line up.’ I’ve played it live maybe five times. Everyone comes to shows with signs for ‘Reason to Believe.’ It’s the only old song on the record, but it just felt appropriate.
“Everything about that song, and what it meant from the get-go, was the world will beat you down,” he continues. “And you got to have a reason to believe. And once Brett died, it just felt it was time. He was the one person that believed in me more than anybody on this planet. Everything about that felt appropriate to not only finally wrangle the song in, but to title the record after it summed up what the record was for me.”
What Kip Moore Says About His New ‘Reason to Believe’ Album
When releasing Reason to Believe, Moore’s first new album since Solitary Tracks came out in 2025, Moore said the record became his way of combatting darkness.
“My belief in my faith is at my core,” Moore writes on social media. “Even when the dark is there and it’s winning, I know it won’t ultimately win. I just have to find my way back to the light. … I hope you guys enjoy Reason To Believe. Brett, ‘RTB’ was always your favorite. It finally found a home. I love you and I’ll see you on the other side amigo.”
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All The Songs on ‘Reason to Believe’ by Kip Moore
01) Levee (Kip Moore, Luke Preston, Hank Born)
02) Get What Ya Give (Kip Moore, Luke Preston)
03) The Darkness (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
04) Heartbreaker (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston, Casey Beathard)
05) Headlights (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts)
06) You & Me (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Hillary Lindsey)
07) Faith In The Wind (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
08) Reason To Believe (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Scott Stepakoff)
09) Lonely Tonight (Kip Moore, Casey Beathard)
10) Long Time Coming (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
11) Wild Things Like You (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
12) Sober (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde)
13) Josephine (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde)
Photo Credit: PJ Brown