Peach Jam Podcast: Angel Ocasio Jr. - Macon, Ga.

 

On this episode of Peach Jam, host Jeremy Powell welcomes a soulful and stylish voice from Middle Georgia’s rich musical legacy: guitarist, producer, and lifelong student of music, Angel Ocasio Jr. What unfolds is a layered conversation about tradition, passion, identity, and the unique spirit of “Ocasio Cool.”

From the moment he walked into the GPB studios, Angel radiated charisma. Jeremy didn’t hold back: “You are probably in the top three most stylish people we've had on Peach Jam.”

Angel grinned and offered a name for his vibe: “I call it the Ocasio Cool.”

As a native of Macon, Ga., Angel's sound is deeply rooted in the rich soil of Southern musical tradition. He describes his style as “soul-stirring music… wrapped around the blues.” But what truly sets him apart is his connection to a lesser-known but powerful genre: sacred steel.

Angel’s journey began in Nashville, Ga., inside the walls of the House of God church.

“My grandmother was the pastor,” he shared. “My uncle Big was a musician in the church… one Sunday he called me over and said, ‘Play this C note.’” The moment ignited a path that led him to professional gigs by age 7.

But it wasn’t instant love. “At first it was just something that I had to do,” Angel admitted. “The passion, the real true passion for it, didn’t come until I was about 11 or 12.”

That spark came from witnessing Derek Campbell of the renowned Campbell Brothers band perform at a church assembly. “He was playing the steel one day… and it just struck me.”

The steel guitar holds a sacred place in Angel’s life and in his church. “There’s a genre that was birthed through the church called sacred steel,” he explained. “In our church, it’s the lead instrument. So I’m not out here doing anything different than where I come from.”

This reverence for heritage shows not only in his music but in how he plays it. “The steel guitar is my first love,” he said, “so that’s why I keep it in my repertoire.”

Macon is no ordinary hometown for a musician. Jeremy asked if playing there adds pressure, given its legendary musical pedigree. Angel confirms: “Macon is a very historically music city… Otis Redding, Little Richard, the Allman Brothers… it's some shoes to fill. I say that if you can make it in Macon, you can make it anywhere in the world.”

Still, he emphasized that the city is more than its legacy — it’s family. “At this point, it is just home, home feeling.”

Angel's music has also taken him on international adventures, to Germany and Amsterdam. “It’s been a goal of mine that my music takes me to these places,” he said. “And it’s working, man.”

When Jeremy asked about the audience reactions overseas, Angel was moved: “It humbles me. In my mind, I’m just doing my best… when we hear the crowd response, it’s like, wow. That’s just… wow.”

Angel isn’t just a performer — he’s a one-man music producing machine. “It’s all in-house at this point,” he said. “I’ve been a producer. I’ve worked as a music director… I know how to record. One of my many hats.” That independence gives him the freedom to evolve at his own pace, without compromising the heart of his sound.

For all the confidence and skill he brings to the stage, Angel doesn’t shy away from vulnerability. When asked if he’d ever thought about quitting, he answered honestly: “Oh yeah. Most definitely, man. Life happens.” But his love for music, rooted so deeply in family and faith, keeps him going.

And that’s what makes Angel Ocasio Jr. a standout guest — not just his mastery of sacred steel or his cool demeanor, but his spirit. As Jeremy put it, “You come off so cool and laid back and nice. It is refreshing.”

Angel’s response? A nod to his lineage: “I call it the Ocasio Cool… my daddy cool, man. I’m just junior.”