Jessie Jo Dillon Earns Third Consecutive Grammy Nomination for Songwriter of the Year

The Nashville songwriter opens up about her monumental 2025, writing hits with Kelsea Ballerini, and her mantra for 2026.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:23pm

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Jessie Jo Dillon, a prominent figure in Nashville's songwriting community, has earned her third consecutive Grammy nomination for Songwriter of the Year. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the 38-year-old songwriter reflected on her successful 2025, which included co-writing hits like Megan Moroney's "Am I Okay?", Russell Dickerson's "Happen to Me", and Kelsea Ballerini's "Baggage". Dillon also discussed her close creative partnership with Ballerini, including the story behind their collaboration on the vulnerable track "People Pleaser". As Dillon looks ahead to the 2026 Grammys, she's embracing a "Kate Bush this s---" mentality, determined to keep "running up that road or that hill" in pursuit of more success.

Why it matters

Jessie Jo Dillon's third consecutive Grammy nomination for Songwriter of the Year highlights her status as a leading creative force in the Nashville music scene. Her ability to craft hit songs across multiple artists and genres demonstrates her versatility and songwriting prowess. The personal insights she shares about her creative process and mindset provide a unique window into the life of a successful modern-day songwriter.

The details

In 2025, Dillon co-wrote several hit songs, including Megan Moroney's "Am I Okay?", Russell Dickerson's "Happen to Me", Jon Pardi's "Happen to Me", and Kelsea Ballerini's "Baggage". Her long-standing relationship with Ballerini led to the creation of the vulnerable track "People Pleaser", which the duo originally wrote for Ballerini's band Patterns before deciding to revisit it for her solo project Mount Pleasant. Dillon described the collaborative process with Ballerini as "ping-pong" where ideas flowed easily due to their shared experiences and honesty.

  • Jessie Jo Dillon received her third consecutive Grammy nomination for Songwriter of the Year in January 2026.
  • In 2025, Dillon co-wrote several hit songs that were released throughout the year.

The players

Jessie Jo Dillon

A 38-year-old Nashville songwriter who has earned three consecutive Grammy nominations for Songwriter of the Year.

Kelsea Ballerini

A 32-year-old country music artist with whom Dillon has a close creative partnership, co-writing songs like "People Pleaser" and "I Sit in Parks".

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What they’re saying

“I just don't think there's anything like a Grammy nomination. It comes from your peers and you're just like, 'Hey kid, you did some good work.' Because it's so hard to feel that sometimes.”

— Jessie Jo Dillon

“I'll never forget, we were sitting at her kitchen table when we started working on it again. It's almost like ping-pong. It's like bam, bam, bam like back and forth on like sections or lyrics or whatever. And it was very much a song like that that kind of fell out so easily and quickly just 'cause of the honesty.”

— Jessie Jo Dillon

“I just gotta Kate Bush this s---, keep running up that road or that hill.”

— Jessie Jo Dillon

What’s next

Dillon will attend the Songwriters and Composers Wing Reception on January 28, 2026, where she will be honored alongside her fellow Songwriter of the Year nominees.

The takeaway

Jessie Jo Dillon's third consecutive Grammy nomination for Songwriter of the Year solidifies her status as one of the most sought-after and respected songwriters in the Nashville music scene. Her ability to craft hits across multiple artists and genres, as well as her authentic creative partnerships, demonstrate the power of empathy and vulnerability in the songwriting process.