It has been a tiring afternoon that has dragged a little. An evening of searching for late flights and holidays awaits! Before that, though, there is time for something to brighten the mood: some no-nonsense country music with a built-in smile. Here is a song about getting back on your feet when life knocks you down, accompanied by a video full of cowboy boots, girls in shorts and some mean line dancing! This is tailor-made for summer festival fun with a cold drink in hand and your feet shuffling along.
Chris Johnson – Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitar
Jordan Ziff – Lead Guitar
Fede Delfino – Bass Guitar
Stephen Haaker – Drums
Press release
‘This single showcases Chris Johnson & The Hollywood Hillbillies at their most authentic: honest storytelling, powerful musicianship and an uplifting message about never giving up, even when life keeps pushing you down. Feel-good yet deeply relatable, “Better Days Ahead” speaks to anyone chasing a better future while staying true to their roots.
Southern California native Chris Johnson has long been a fixture—and something of a legend—in the West Coast country rock scene. Born into a family of professional musicians, he grew up surrounded by music and developed his craft at Hollywood’s prestigious Musicians Institute, setting the stage for a lifelong journey through rock, blues and country.
The release of “Better Days Ahead” also marks the official debut of Rustbelt Electric, a new record label and creative platform focused on rock, blues, glam and hard rock. Built around a strong identity inspired by the industrial and urban imagery of the American Rust Belt, the label symbolises hard work, resilience, authenticity and character. “Electric” represents the label’s energy, sonic impact and live-driven attitude. Rustbelt Electric positions itself as a bridge between tradition and modernity, preserving strong musical roots in blues and classic rock while developing contemporary projects with an international outlook.
My review
The single is available now on all major streaming platforms, having been released on 26 June 2026. The version I listened to was on YouTube, clocking in at just 2 minutes and 15 seconds, so this is certainly not a song that hangs around or beats about the bush.
It is exactly what it says on the tin: great fun, catchy Southern country boogie with an irresistible sense of optimism. The video features the band in action, plenty of cleavage (around the 20-second mark!), some pool and some impressively slick line dancing featuring cowboy boots and very short shorts. It all adds to the carefree atmosphere and never pretends to be anything other than a good time.
“Better Days Ahead” is a song to dream along with, one that encourages you to believe brighter times are just around the corner. Pull up a hay bale, grab an ice-cold Dr Pepper and enjoy the dance moves alongside some neat guitar work. This is music designed to entertain rather than philosophise, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. The chorus is infectious enough to stay with you long after the music has faded.
If you’re looking for a deep, soul-searching country ballad, you’ve wandered into the wrong ranch. But if your idea of a good time is three chords, a memorable hook, dancing boots and a reminder that tomorrow can always be better than today, Chris Johnson & The Hollywood Hillbillies have delivered exactly that. Sometimes, simple songs are the ones that put the biggest smile on your face.
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You can stream music from Chris Johnson & The Hollywood Hillbillies here
By Lorraine Foley
Join Rock the Joint Magazine on the road to the best independent music journalism, interviews and reviews. We cover Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues and Christian music. Support us on Ko-Fi (link on each page) to help the magazine grow and value independent journalism.