John Mayer has always been a musician who follows his own path -- and quite a path it has proven to be! His interest in music began as a teenager when he started learning the electric guitar. After graduating high school, John spent 15 months working for $7 an hour as a full-service gas station attendant in Fairfield, CT. He once said, "My mission at the Mobil station was to become the best squeegee in the land. One full swipe, corner to corner. I never let a single drop of liquid remain."

He used the cash to buy a 1996 Stevie Ray Vaughan signature Stratocaster -- one he still uses to this day. He did so well with it, he ended up being accepted to the Berklee School of Music, but after just two semesters, John decided that it wasn't right for him and moved to Atlanta. He set to work performing blues in coffeehouses across the city, and eventually put together a self-released album in 1999 called "Inside Wants Out."

Just a few months later, John signed a record deal and began working on his first professional album. He reworked several of his previous songs, added some new ones, and ended up with "Room for Squares." His debut album put him on the map when it was released in 2001, and his singles "No Such Thing" and "Your Body is a Wonderland" made it to the Top 20.

In the following years, John released several more albums, including live concert recordings. He has won 7 Grammys, further solidifying himself as a prominent name in the music industry. He tried his hand at new ventures, including forming a blues band called the John Mayer Trio, giving a stand-up comedy career a shot, and organizing a musical cruise called "The Mayercraft Carrier."

John just released a new album in November, "Battle Studies," which Ellen loves. It debuted at #1. He performed his amazing single "Who Says" on the show -- take a look here.

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