A native of Houston, Texas, 21-year-old John Holiday, Jr. was born to Waverly and John T. Holiday, Sr. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in Rosenberg, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where he received his education in the Lamar Consolidated School District. 

John graduated high school with honors from Lamar Consolidated High School in the top fifteen percent of his class. Among nearly 400 seniors, John was chosen to receive the esteemed "Principal's Award," presented to just one graduating senior who is the preeminent example of hard work, determination, dedication and care for success toward learning. Upon graduation, John was accepted and awarded a full scholarship to attend the acclaimed Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, where he studied vocal performance under the tutelage of world renown soprano, Barbara Hill-Moore, who has achieved a highly-regarded, personal musical career.

John Holiday and Jason Mraz (center blue sweater) with John’s band at a 2006 performance.

As a freshman, John served as the president of the Fine Arts Community and currently serves as a Community Assistant in the Hawk, Martin and Moore Community. From the Fall of 2004 to Fall of 2007, John held the positions of president and treasurer for his fraternity, the world-class Kappa Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma. On April 28, 2006, John Holiday opened, in concert, for 5-Time Grammy Nominated Singer, Jason Mraz at McFarlin Auditorium in Dallas, TX. Upon his 2007 graduation, he will acquire a B.M. (Bachelor’'s of Music) in Performance.