AUSTIN, Texas — Clifford Antone, the man behind the legendary Antone's, a bar that has been central to much of the Austin music scene since the mid-'70s, was sentenced to four years in a federal penitentiary Thursday (May 25) afternoon on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

Antone enjoyed widespread support in the music community, and word of his sentencing was met with dismay, albeit tempered by a sense of resignation.

"Everybody is sad," a man who identified himself only as Brad said from Antone's club Thursday evening. "We were hoping and praying that he was going to get some great probation deal, but accepting that there was going to have to be some time served."

A worker at Antone's record store who asked not to be named said, "I'm just sad that it happened. I think that he came off as well as he could. He was pretty lucky in some ways."

The original indictment against Antone, filed in June 1997, accused him of being part of a drug ring that stretched into Mexico and netted him an estimated $1.5 million from 1994–96. It included 11 counts of drug trafficking.

Antone agreed to a plea bargain, and on Jan. 6, 1999, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering. His sentencing was delayed several times since then.

Community Shows Support

Thursday's court proceedings, which began at 9:30 a.m., ran all morning before recessing and then continued until about 3 p.m.

During the morning session, 20 people from the community spoke on behalf of the club owner, who faced up to 10 years behind bars on the charge. Included among the 20 were Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds; Louis Black, editor of the Austin Chronicle; Terry Lickona, producer of the PBS network music show "Austin City Limits"; and ex-mayor of Austin Lee Cook.

In 1984, Antone was convicted of possession of more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana and served a 14-month sentence.

Thursday, Antone was released on bond pending his assignment to a correctional facility.

"He's had a lot of time to get ready for it," said Brad, who's been working at Antone's club for just a few months but had crossed paths with its owner since the '80s in other Austin club-related work. "The actual [sentencing] date was postponed for a year and a half almost."

Revered Part Of Music Scene

Wednesday night saw an outpouring of support for Antone, 49. Musicians and other well-wishers crowded his club as Jimmie Vaughan — who with his little brother Stevie Ray Vaughan launched his career playing at Antone's club in the '70s — took the stage.

Anyone familiar with Austin's enduring nightclub scene is probably familiar with Antone's. Though it has been housed in four locations, including the one considered the birthplace of the city's famed Sixth Street nightclub district, the club remains central to all of Austin's blues players, as well as many of its country and rock musicians.

Joe Ely's new live album, due in June, was recorded at Antone's. So was last year's Live From the Limo disc by the Texas Tornados, whose founder Doug Sahm was memorialized over two nights at Antone's a week after his death in November.

The club opened in 1975, when young turks such as Vaughan, the T-Birds, Lou Ann Barton and Angela Strehli shared the stage with such legends as Albert King and Muddy Waters. Since then, many more musicians have been schooled under the Antone's marquee, including Charlie Sexton, Ian Moore and Doyle Bramhall II, some of whom, such as Sue Foley, also released albums on Antone's Records, which remains active, largely in European sales.

"Clifford is like a father figure to everyone who's taken his stage," said Moore, one of the many in the community who've voiced their support for Antone.

Most of Antone's portion of the business has been in his sister Susan Antone's name since 1984. She also helps run the club. Even with her brother's sentence, this could be one of the best years for Antone's, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a series of star-studded shows in July.

(Correspondent Chris Riemenschneider contributed to this report.)