Justin was raised on Christian music. He was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, and is the middle of three brothers. His father was a self taught musician and a roofer by trade, and his mother a stay-at-home mom. Justin, influenced by his father's musical pursuits, began playing piano at age 10, and trumpet in the school band. He began writing music at 17 for his grandfather, who was a pastor. He also started a Christian band called Emmaus, performing as lead vocalist on the songs that his grandfather and he had written.