James Cathey was born in February 1917 in Childress County, Texas. His rodeo career began in 1947 after his return from WWII service as a highly decorated airman in a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was the premier rodeo photojournalist of the “Golden Age” of rodeo.
Cathey was directly involved in the organization, promotion, and growth of several levels of American rodeo. He worked with top RCA rodeos and tirelessly supported the new NIRA. As director of publicity for both the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) and the NHSRA, he helped launch both from regional to now international scope. A prolific rodeo journalist, Cathey published Powder Puff & Spurs, the monthly magazine of the GRA, and he was the associate editor for rodeo at Back in the Saddle magazine and a contributing editor of rodeo articles and news for Western Horseman, Hoofs & Horns, and American Quarter Horse Journal.
In 1951, a Cathey rodeo photograph was selected to hang as one of the 100 Greatest News Photos of All Time in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Even today, Cathey’s work is still telling the story of rodeo’s golden age in displays in every major rodeo hall of fame and museum. His entire body of work was recently professionally appraised and pronounced a “National Treasure,” which it truly is. Cathey died June 2, 1978, at age 61.
