Johnny was born November 5,1946 and raised in San Saba on the Colorado River. His roping started at an early age during the drought as a necessity, trying to keep their cattle on the right side of a dry river. He gives his parents, J.C. and Grace all the credit for the success that he had in his rodeo career for their support and encouragement.
He went to some junior rodeos around close when he was younger. Then in the early 60’s he joined the AJRA. He won the calf roping, ribbion roping, steer wrestling and all around titles in 1966, He entered Tarleton State College in the fall of 1965. He qualified to the college finals 3 out of the 4 years -competing at St. George, Utah, Sacramento, Calif., and Deadwood, South Dakota. He joined the PRCA and traveled in the summers. He never really went full time. He won the average at San Antonio and 2nd at Dallas to help him with the calf roping title the first year the Texas Circuit was formed in 1975. He won all three rounds and average at the prestigious OS Ranch Roping at Post in 1974.
In 1968 he married Diltzie Bland and they had two children, Carter, an outstanding roper and Lorissa, a tough rodeo competitor also. And they now have 8 grandchildren.
In 2000 he was inducted into the Cowboy Walk of Fame in Stephenville and in 2013 he was inducted into the Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Fame.
He lives in Roby, Texas where he had a swine operation for 25 years and now runs cattle and has a hay operation. And helps out the Bland family owned business, Cal-Tex Feedyard at Trent. He says he is truly blessed with wonderful family and friends!!
