Jim created his first neighborhood newsletter when he was 10 years old, just about the time when tales told to him by his grandfather and father began to build his fascination for the history and heritage of the place called Acadiana (that portion of Louisiana between the Mississippi River and the Texas border, consisting of approximately the southern one-third of the state).

He has pursued his twin loves of journalism and history since then and has become a recognized expert on who the Cajun people are and how they got to be what they are.

Mr. Bradshaw has won journalism awards for spot news reporting, feature writing, and investigative reporting. His popular columns have brought national and regional awards, including the prestigious Hal Boyle Award. His history awards include the Prix de Louisiane, given by CODOFIL for his writing about the Cajun history and culture, and the Jefferson Davis Historical Medal, given by the United Daughters of the Confederacy for his research and writing on the Civil War in Acadiana.

In 1998, he was named Outstanding alumnus by the University of Southwest Louisiana Communications Department.