John started singing in a cappella groups in 1984, helping to form a non-performing group called The Fine-Tunes. In 1987, John joined The Echelons, who, with producer Eddie Brian, had a local Christmas hit with "A Christmas Long Ago (Jingle, Jingle)". John did double duty during 1989 and 1990, also singing with The Infernos. After The Echelons disbanded in 1995, John teamed with songwriter/guitarist Luke Tirrell, singing original material on the coffee house circuit for about a year. In 1998, John joined the a cappella group Remembrance, singing with the group until 2001. During a brief run singing in a house band at a local hotel lounge, John met singer/drummer Joey Rizzo and they decided to form their own band, joining veterans Bob Roman and Joe Cimo to form Four Man Trio.