A bareback and bull riding champion, James started his rodeo career at age 6 and won six AJRA world championships by 19. He was 18 when he bought his permit and obtained his PRCA card soon after. In college, James won the 1974 National Rodeo Championship at Eastern New Mexico State University. In 1976, he was National Collegiate Champion Bareback Rider and NIRA All Around Champion. He competed in the NIRA and PRCA in 1977, winning championships in Odessa, Ardmore, and Cheyenne. On July 4, 1977, James suffered a broken neck that ended his career. At the time, he stood 9th in the PRCA World Bull Riding Standings and 10th in the PRCA World Bareback Riding Standings. He remains involved with PRCA rodeo today.
