Valley native co-wrote Blake Shelton hit song

He's one of country music's biggest stars, and even though singer and TV personality, Blake Shelton, is not on tour, he's making a special trip to Youngstown for this weekend's Y-Live event.
A Valley native co-wrote one of Shelton's very first hit songs.

Kirsti Manna of Poland graduated from Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music.

She went on to become a songwriter in Nashville co-writing and co-publishing Shelton's song, Austin.

As a working songwriter in Nashville now, she encourages people from here in the Valley to chase their creative passions and never give up on their dreams.

"Where ever you are, you always have to make plans about your dreams. Always be working on your dreams," Mana said. "You can't just wish and think that it is going to fall into your lap. It does take being smart about it, being practical, studying, going to workshops, taking lessons. All those things."

She started her own company, Songwriter Girl, which aims to empower girls and women through songwriting.

"The world could always use more music," said the songwriter.

She hosted a workshop in Youngstown in April and plans to have another one in Pittsburgh.