Mainer Amy Allen goes for Grammy repeat

The songwriter is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, after winning the same award last year.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:55am

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Amy Allen, a songwriter from Windham, Maine, is nominated for the Songwriter of the Year Grammy Award at the 2026 ceremony. This is her second consecutive nomination for the award, which she won last year. Allen has become one of the most in-demand songwriters in the music industry, co-writing hits for artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles.

Why it matters

Allen's success as a songwriter from Maine highlights the state's vibrant music scene and its ability to produce top-tier musical talent. Her Grammy nominations and win demonstrate the impact Maine-based artists can have on the broader music industry.

The details

After taking guitar lessons as a teenager and writing her own songs, Allen went on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She then moved to New York and Los Angeles, where she built a reputation as a sought-after pop songwriter. In 2025, she won the Grammy for Songwriter of the Year, and this year she is nominated again for the same award based on her work co-writing songs for artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Jessie Murph, and Tate McRae.

  • Amy Allen grew up in Windham, Maine and graduated from Waynflete School in Portland in 2010.
  • She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston after initially studying nursing at Boston College.
  • Allen moved to New York and then Los Angeles around 2017 to pursue songwriting and publishing.
  • In 2025, Allen won the Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Year.
  • The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Amy Allen

A songwriter from Windham, Maine who has become one of the most in-demand pop songwriters, co-writing hits for artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles.

Carter Logan

Allen's guitar teacher when she was a teenager, who recognized her songwriting talent early on.

Charlie Gaylord

A Kennebunk-based music producer who worked with Allen early in her career.

Jonathan Wyman

A Maine-based music producer and mixer who produced Allen's first album when she was still in high school.

Bonnie Hayes

The director of the songwriting master's program at Berklee College of Music when Allen attended.

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What they’re saying

“It's almost impossible to get to the level she's at. It's a combination of being super talented and working really hard.”

— Charlie Gaylord, music producer (bangordailynews.com)

“She was able to turn a phrase both lyrically and melodically, and to be able to do that at 17 years old is not incredibly common.”

— Jonathan Wyman, music producer and mixer (bangordailynews.com)

“She's such an artist, in her bones, that's she's comfortable doing that. And her lyrics are relaxed and funny, like talking to your best friend.”

— Bonnie Hayes, director of songwriting master's program at Berklee (bangordailynews.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2026, where Allen will find out if she has won the Songwriter of the Year award for the second consecutive year.

The takeaway

Amy Allen's Grammy nominations and win highlight the musical talent that can emerge from Maine, and demonstrate that artists from the state can achieve tremendous success in the highly competitive music industry.