Prison is forced sabbatical for leader of Mo. band

ST. LOUIS -- A popular Grateful Dead tribute band from Missouri is taking a sabbatical -- the result of a 30-month prison sentence for the lead singer.

Jimmy Tebeau founded the Schwag in 1991. He's headed to prison next week after pleading guilty to a federal drug charge, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. A final gig was planned for Saturday in St. Louis.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, really," Tebeau said of his prison detour. "We're calling it a farewell for now -- a forced sabbatical, so to speak."

For years, Tebeau hosted concerts on land he owned in Shannon County known as Camp Zoe. Some drew around 5,000 fans in a Woodstock-like environment.

The campground was raided during a Halloween 2010 concert. Prosecutors said the concert featured up to 200 dealers selling marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and other drugs. Tebeau was not involved in the drug sales, but pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises.

"Let's say you own a house and you keep renting to crackheads," Tebeau said. "After a while they are going to bust you. There was a small minority of people there selling. I never wanted them there."

Law enforcement officials said more than 150 undercover purchases were made.

"I think the penalty for the crime is a little overboard," Tebeau said. "Any festival I've been to, I see people doing and selling drugs. I've always requested the help of the police, but they would never help us."

Camp Zoe now is in the possession of the federal government. Tebeau, a married father of two, is set to turn himself in Monday to Yankton Federal Prison in South Dakota.

"I've been calling clubs, telling them I'm not going to play, and to not forget me because I'll be back," Tebeau said. "They said I can play there for the rest of my life. All my regular places assure me I got gigs forever more."

Tebeau is taking a leave of absence from his occasional role as bassist with the Jerry Garcia Band. Other members of the Schwag are picking up gigs in other bands.

"They'll be ready to rock out when I get back," Tebeau said.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com