Berlin will give downtown some twang with all-day country music concert

By Greg Ellison

(Sept. 9, 2021) Berlin will have its fourth annual “Small Town Throw Down,” concert Saturday, with a trio of Nashville-flavored musical acts for a full afternoon of hoedown tunes with food, drinks and vendors on hand from 1-6 p.m.

The country music extravaganza, which was launched in 2017, is produced courtesy of Fager’s Island and The Atlantic Hotel.

Atlantic Hotel General Manager Laura Sterns said the concept took hold after John and Michelle Fager visited to Nashville in 2016.

“John likes country music,” she said. “After seeing it in Nashville, he wanted to bring in to Berlin.”

Sterns said past “Throw Down,” events have drawn upwards of 1,000 people to Berlin.

“John does this to help bring business to the town,” she said.

Performers on tap this Saturday include Ruthie and the Wranglers, Johnny Cash tribute band Boy in Black and the Lauren Calve Band.

Berlin Chamber of Commerce Deputy Director Steve Frene said the organization would be selling beer and wine all afternoon.

“In addition to the music part, which is John Fager and the Atlantic Hotel, the Chamber worked with them to help promote it,” he said.

Backing the chamber’s fundraising effort are Burley Oak Brewing Company and Sister’s Wine Bar.

“We definitely want to thank the folks at Burley Oak … and Sister’s Wine Bar, because they’re working with us on beer and wine sales,” he said.

Frene said all money raised through alcohol sales would help the chamber “do good stuff,” in the community.

“They’ll be a couple of food trucks and some artisans will be vending,” he said.

Sterns said the Atlantic Hotel would have outside seating available in front of the historic site.

“We’ll have an orange crush bar out front,” she said.

Food options will also be available at the Atlantic Hotel.

Frene said the event features old-time country music, while also highlighting the Boy in Black Johnny Cash tribute band.

“You’ll think you’re looking at Johnny Cash and listening to them,” he said.

Back again this year are D.C.-based Ruthie and the Wranglers.

“She’s kind of like a Pasty Cline,” he said.

To flesh out the stage act, Ruthie and the Wranglers are known for donning vintage cowboy garb.

“She does those old country and western honkytonk songs,” he said.