CHRIS JOHNSON & THE HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLIES
RELEASE NEW SINGLE “BETTER DAYS AHEAD” AS THE FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM NEW LABEL RUSTBELT ELECTRIC
“Better Days Ahead”, the new single from country rock band Chris Johnson & The Hollywood Hillbillies, is out now as the first official release from newly launched record label and creative platform Rustbelt Electric.
The track is taken from the upcoming album Tales From The Cowboy Palace, set for release on November 11, 2026 via Rustbelt Electric.
Watch the video of “Better Days Ahead”: https://youtu.be/DY6TC6XL1cE
Listen to “Better Days Ahead”: https://ffm.to/chrisjohnson-thh-better-days-ahead
Pre-order Tales From The Cowboy Palace: https://rustbeltelectric.bandcamp.com/
Built around resilience, perseverance and the everyday struggles of working-class life, “Better Days Ahead” is pure Country Rock with Southern Rock influences, with its timeless sound and emotional directness of artists such as Chris Stapleton, The Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The 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 a bit 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.
Over the years, Johnson’s powerhouse vocals and gritty authenticity have carried him through several acclaimed projects, from fronting Rumor Haz-It, a national touring pop-rock act represented by William Morris, to leading The Big Johnson Band and later working as lead vocalist and co-writer for Blues Train, sharing stages with respected musicians including Gregg Bissonette, Matt Bissonette, T Lavitz, Mike Thompson and Denny Freeman.
Today, Johnson fronts The Hollywood Hillbillies, a high-octane country rock band active from California to Texas. The upcoming album Tales From The Cowboy Palace features guitarist Jordan Ziff of Ratt and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, alongside bassist Federico Delfino, known for his work with Sebastian Bach, Madman Theory and Mercury Riots.
Beyond the stage, Johnson is also a respected guitar and studio tech, vintage gear authority and tone expert. His work has connected him with major names including Rick Rubin, Eddie Van Halen, Warren Haynes, John Fogerty, Steve Stevens, Steve Lukather, Tommy Shaw and many others.
He also owns Hollywood Studio Rentals, Drum Paradise Los Angeles and The Cowboy Palace Saloon, the legendary San Fernando Valley honky-tonk purchased in 2010 and featured in major music videos and films including Terminator, La Bamba and Thelma & Louise.
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 takes its name from a world that symbolizes 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 solid musical roots in blues and classic rock while developing contemporary projects with an international approach.
The label operates across artist development, production, physical and digital distribution, marketing, promotion, branding and strategic partnerships for global market expansion. Its goal is to build a strong and credible catalog by working with artists who have a clear identity and a long-term vision.
With Chris Johnson & The Hollywood Hillbillies as its first official release, Rustbelt Electric makes a clear statement of intent: to champion music built on roots, attitude, craft and authenticity.
TALES FROM THE COWBOY PALACE TRACKLIST:
1.Six Feet Under
2.Come Back To Me
3.Better Days Ahead
4.Till The End Of Time
5.Make You Mine
6.Live To Ride
7.I Release You
8.Hollywood Angel
9.I Dream Of You
10.By My Side
11.Days Like These
CHRIS JOHNSON & THE HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLIES IS:
Chris Johnson – Lead and backing Vocals & Guitar
Jordan Ziff – Lead Guitar
Fede Delfino – Bass Guitar
Stephen Haaker – Drums
Skip Edwards – Keyboards
Miles Napier – Keyboards
Aubrey Richmond – Fiddle & backing vocals
Randall Hess – Pedal Steel
Additional musicians:
Kenny Aronoff (John Fogarty, John Mellacamp, Sammy Hagar) – Drums
Skip Edwards (Dwight Yoakham, Johnny Rivers, Flying Burritos) – Keyboards
Dean Parks, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, LeAnn Rymes, Clint Black – Guitar
CHRIS JOHNSON & THE HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLIES CONTACTS:
https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodhillbilliesband
https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodHillbillies
https://rustbeltelectric.bandcamp.com/album/tales-from-the-cowboy-palace
RUSTBELT ELECTRIC
https://rustbeltelectric.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@RustbeltElectric
https://www.instagram.com/rustbeltelectric/
https://www.facebook.com/rustbeltelectric/