PORTLAND, Maine — Two southern Mainers will be joining the likes of Beyonce, David Bowie and Kanye West at the American music industry’s annual celebration of excellence this winter.
Drew Taggart, who went to high school in Freeport, will have a shot at winning his first Grammy as part of the breakout pop duo, The Chainsmokers, who are up for three awards, including best new artist. Portland’s Bob Ludwig will be seeking his twelfth Grammy at the February award show, with an nomination in a music engineering category.
In addition to the new act nod, The Chainsmokers were nominated for best pop duo/group performance for their hit “Closer,” and are also competing for best dance recording for the song “Don’t Let Me Down.” Taggart and his musical partner Alex Pall will be competing against prominent musicians including Rihanna and Chance the Rapper in the various categories.
The 26-year-old Mainer was effusive about the nominations and told the Portland Press Herald that he will likely take his mom as a date to the Feb. 12 award show.
“Really proud of my team right now,” Taggart, who lives in New York City, posted on Twitter the day the nominations were announced.
Ludwig’s nomination for best engineered non-classical album comes from his work on “Are You Serious,” the bluesy thirteenth studio album by singer-songwriter Andrew Bird.
Ludwig runs Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland. Over a decades-long career, he has worked on recordings by artists including Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen, according to the studio’s website. He was also nominated for and won the award for best engineered non-classical album at the 2016 Grammys for work on Alabama Shakes’ “Sound & Color.”
Ludwig could not be immediately reached for comment.