From the Gridiron to the Stage: Abe Mac Finds His Voice Beyond Football 

September 2025
By Sandra Ramirez '08, '21

Grit. Determination. Disappointment. Those were among the biggest lessons Abiel Macias ’06, learned while playing football at The University of Texas at El Paso. Those lessons eventually fueled his successful career as a country music artist, singer-songwriter and producer. 

It was former UTEP head football coach Mike Price who gave Macias his stage name “Abe Mac” during a summer training camp in Socorro, New Mexico. 

“There was a big tree outside the dorm rooms, and after our two-a-days, I’d take my guitar and jam out under the tree,” Macias recalled. “My friends from the team would join me, and I’d sing choruses to songs.” 

Shortly after, Price gave Macias two days off to write a song for the team’s final meeting of training camp. 

“Coach Price introduced me as ‘Abe Mac,’ and that was it,” Macias said. “I was like, ‘Man, that’s a cool name,’ and I kept it.” 

While Price gave him his nickname, Macias said their relationship wasn’t always easy. 

Macias was recruited by former Head Coach (Gary) Nord for an offensive role that evolved and moved away from a fullback position under Coach Price’s leadership. While the position favored “6-foot-5 players, not a 5-11 guy from Socorro” Macias showed relentless determination, and though his time on the field varied, his grit never wavered. 

 Approaching his senior year, Macias was battling an injury and considering whether to step away from football. He turned to former UTEP communications professor Dr. Barthy Byrd for advice. 

“I remember her saying, ‘You’re very resilient in your nature. You’ll figure it out. You do what you need to do,’” she said. “She motivated me to realize I had a gift for public speaking.” 

Macias ultimately left the football program. It was a decision that would change the course of his career. 

That summer, he enrolled in a course at KTEP, the university’s radio station, under the guidance of Dr. Louie Saenz. 

“He was showing me different voice tactics, and I asked, ‘Can I hop on the radio and try it myself?’” Macias said. “I heard my voice on the radio, and it sounded cool! That was the day I realized I wanted to be some type of media entertainer.” 

Years later, Macias reconnected with Byrd during a concert at Fort Bliss, where Abe Mac Band opened for country star Clint Black in front of 18,000 people. 

“I remember seeing her at my concert and hugging her and crying,” he said. 

Although Macias described parts of his time at UTEP as challenging, he credits the experience for strengthening his songwriting and instilling the mental toughness required for the music industry. 

He recently released a new album, Sad Cowboys Club, and now runs his own music company, Abe Mac Music, where he develops artists in stage performance, etiquette and energy. 

His goal is to secure a distribution deal and become a household name among Texas troubadours. 

Macias is supporting his two sons, ages 6 and 10, as they explore their musical interests. His 10-year-old, who performs as Jesse Dylan Mac, already has two songs on Spotify. Macias is introducing his children to sports as well and hopes to expand into strength and conditioning programs for young athletes in both El Paso and San Antonio, where he now lives. 

“I want them to aspire not only to think about becoming professional athletes, because that’s such a difficult task, but more so for personal growth, for mental growth, for confidence,” he said. 

These are skills Macias learned both on and off the field at UTEP, and he now passes them on through his music, mentoring other artists, and guiding his children as a father.