Maine Native Amy Allen Gets No. 1 Hit As A Songwriter

PORTLAND, Maine  — Maine native Amy Allen has her first No. 1 hit as a songwriter.The Los Angeles songwriter tells the Portland Press Herald she's "through-the-roof excited" that a song she co-wrote, "Without Me" by Halsey, reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 pop music chart this week.Allen grew up in Windham and graduated from Waynflete School in Portland. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she took a songwriting class taught by former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. In Boston, she formed a band that got her songs noticed.The past year was good to Allen.She co-wrote the "Back to You" by Selena Gomez and "When You're Ready" on Shawn Mendes' self-titled album. The latter album is nominated for a Grammy in the pop vocal album category.