Big things have happened for Shane Meade and the Sound since tbt* named them an Artist of the Day in May.

Dropping this week, Meade's new CD, Candle Lights & Conspiracies, offers a double-disc dose of social-political consciousness and intimate themes — as the name suggests, it’s one of the most refreshing listens and meticulously produced CDs of 2009. His first album, Time Waits For No One, was released in 2007.

Hear Meade at 7 p.m. on Saturday and pick up a copy of his band’s new CD at the Kennedy (2408 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa). The band will be collecting toys for children of military families, and proceeds from the event benefit the Toys for Joy cause. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of show and include a copy of Candle Lights & Conspiracies.

After the jump, Julie Garisto introduces you to Meade and his band ...

The man and his band: Shane Meade, vocals, guitar and percussion; Jason “Fil” Pate, lead guitars, mandolin, banjo and percussion; Andrew Warren, bass and electric guitar; and Albert “Newbeat” Warren, drums. (Guest players include Rob Masten, saxophone; Brian Lane, upright bass; Jeff Fox, drums; Colleen Dugan, drums and percussion.)

New CD: Dropping this week, Candle Lights & Conspiracies offers a double-disc dose of social-political consciousness and intimate themes — as the name suggests, it’s one of the most refreshing listens and meticulously produced CDs of 2009. His first album, Time Waits For No One, was released in 2007.

Shane and his sound: Meade, 35, plays music full-time. He grew up in Elkins, W.Va., son of an African-American father and Scots-Irish mother. He decided to pursue music in his 20s, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in criminology. In 2000, the self-professed late bloomer borrowed a guitar from his dad to jam with his friends, encouraged by musician pals who recognized Meade’s vocal talent and ease. “My experiences come from a more hometown vibe; mountain settings in comparison to the beaches and city life of Tampa,” he says. “These experiences have fit in well with the cross-genre style of music we try to create.” Meade’s music, a hearty concoction of soul, blues rock, adult contemporary pop, bluegrass and even some jazz, has traces of Sting’s solo career, Bob Seger and singer-songwriter Ben Harper.

Why Tampa? “I was going to Marshall University up north (in West Virginia). Some friends were already here working in Tampa Bay. I was teaching some undergrad classes at the time. We had spring break, so I came to Tampa to visit with my friends. Fell in love with the area.”

Sound guy: Multi-instrumentalist Pate, the band’s original founding member and creative partner to Meade, also plays with Tampa bluegrass-improvisational act Pickford Sundries. He brings the same creative input, free-spiritedness and rustic sensibilities to the Sound. Pate and Meade co-produced the new album, engineered by Dominick Pages and recorded at Crystal Blue Sound Studios in Valrico.

On his live shows: “If I’m performing solo or as an acoustic duo, the shows seem to naturally take on a more intimate feel, with moments of storytelling and audience interaction.”

Commendations, recommendations: Meade’s lyrics are immediate, often rhyming. His playful, no-nonsense style works best in the gritty, fleshed-out and saxed-up rocker Cleveland Street.

In his downtime: Married and living in Wesley Chapel, Meade has a dog named Justice, a Chow-Shepherd mix that he likes to take to Fort De Soto Park. He and his wife watch CSI and dine at Cheap and Bin 27 in South Tampa.

For a good cause: Hear Meade at 7 p.m. on Saturday and pick up a copy of his band’s new CD at the Kennedy (2408 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa). The band will be collecting toys for children of military families, and proceeds from the event benefit the Toys for Joy cause. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of show and include copy of Candle Lights & Conspiracies.

-- Julie Garisto, tbt*. Photo: Customartcafe.com.