A legendary voice across the rodeo world has passed away.
Mike Mathis, the man behind the microphone at the Dixie National Rodeo for over 25 years, passed away Wednesday morning. He was 75.
“With great sadness, I learned this morning my good friend, the one and only Mike Mathis passed away and went to be with the Lord,” Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson wrote on social media. “For over 25 years, Mike has been the voice of the Dixie National Rodeo. He was my friend. His voice and presence will be missed but never forgotten.”
With great sadness I learned this morning my good friend, the one and only Mike Mathis passed away and went to be with the Lord. For over 25 years Mike has been the voice of the Dixie National Rodeo. He was my friend. His voice and presence will be missed, but never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/USAXrZdTUl
— Commissioner Andy Gipson (@CommAndyGipson) December 13, 2023
In his last interview with SuperTalk Mississippi News, Mathis explained that he never intended on being a rodeo announcer, but after his time on the rodeo team at Stephen F. Austin, he decided to give amateur announcing a try during his off time. From there, he decided to leave his job as a banker behind and announced rodeos all across the U.S. for nearly four decades.
“After getting out of college and starting work, I realized that making a living in the rodeo business as a rider was not going to be one of my opportunities and just through luck, I’ve been able to make a career out of it,” Mathis said. “Not everybody gets to do what they really love. I do. To be a part of rodeo at this level, to see it, say it, and be a part of these great events, I’ve been very lucky.”
Mathis’ cause of death has not been revealed, but sources say it was a medical-related issue.
