Bridgehampton - The Bridgehampton Historical Society's popular Saturday afternoon "Parlor Series" will continue with its fourth event featuring Bryan Downey on February 26 at 2 p.m.

Bryan Downey was born in Liverpool in 1958. In 1973 he picked up the guitar due to The Beatles and peer pressure: no guitar, no girls. In 1975 he joined the Army, but after five years and too many tours of Northern Ireland, he left the forces and moved to the South of France in 1980 to start a career as a bum. Singing in front of 500 drunken British holiday makers was not that great a challenge artistically. However, being from Liverpool was an advantage because of his heritage. Beatles, Eagles and Simon & Garfunkel was the set list every night. Every Night! After five years, 20,000 beers, and way too many relationships, he was jaded and keen for a new life. He moved to Nantucket in 1986 and shortly after to San Francisco to pursue photography and film-making, becoming professional in both. Bryan moved to Long Island upon the birth of his first daughter, Georgia, in 1998, and became a builder. Still fond of the guitar, in 2004 his daughter suggested he write his own songs. He wrote like a mad man and found all his ideas, themes and melodies different, all his songs about people he knew, and themes common to us all. With a growing repertoire but no reliable recording studio, he built his own. Bulldog Studio became quite the buzz in the area within a week of opening.

Richard Gere, Live Shreiber, Thalia, Lorraine Brocco, Buzz Aldrin, Blythe Danner, Mariska Hargitay, Jay-Z, HBO, NPR, PBS, and the Bank of America have all been in attendance. In February of 2010 he co-founded "Hampton Singer Songwriters" based at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, and has produced over 30 shows there. He is now producing and managing local bands and individuals that his studio sponsors.

This year's Parlor Series is being held at the Historical Society's "Archives" building. Commonly referred to as "the Marder's Barn," it's next to the Nathaniel Rogers House which is under restoration. Space is limited and reservations are suggested but not required. To make a reservation please call Mary Gardner at the Bridgehampton Historical Society at 631-537-1088.

All concerts begin at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members, and can be paid at the door. Children are always welcome; children under 12 are free.

For more information about the 2011 Parlor Series line-up and each artist go to www.bridgehamptonhistoricalsociety.org.