Second Minnesota contestant voted off 'Nashville Star'

The dream has ended for the second of two northwest Minnesotans competing in country music's version of "American Idol."

Ashlee Hewitt, who grew up on a farm near Lancaster, was ousted Monday night from NBC's "Nashville Star" talent show, leaving four contestants out of the 12 who started. Eliminated earlier was Alyson Gilbert, 29, a native of Crookston.

But before learning her fate at the show's conclusion, the 20-year-old Hewitt sang "Mike's Hard Lemonade," her own composition about a girl who dabbled on the naughty side of life:

"She's got a hicky on her neck from the night before,

They went a little too far,

In the back of the 4 by 4,

Uh uh oh."

Standing beside "Nashville Star" host Billy Ray Cyrus after elimination, Hewitt fought back tears and said, "I am not stopping here. I'm going to do whatever it takes."

In response, Cyrus told Hewitt that he hated to see her cry, but predicted, "You'll be a big star, young lady. You are very, very talented."

Hewitt returns home and will be back behind the guitar Wednesday for a benefit concert at the Riverside Golf Club in Lancaster for Tracy Brewer, a businessman who needs a kidney transplant.

Later that night, Hewitt will play at a dance at her family's ranch. Had Hewitt remained in contention, a segment from Wednesday's homecoming would have been part of next week's "Nashville Star" episode.

PAUL WALSH