By Tam Music 
About the song
Lukas Nelson & Family – “Turn Off the News and Build a Garden”
A Quiet Song for Uncertain Times
In moments when the world feels overwhelming, music often becomes a place of calm. During the uncertain days of global lockdowns, Lukas Nelson offered exactly that kind of comfort through a simple but powerful performance of Turn Off the News (Build a Garden). Recorded as part of a relaxed Quarantunes Evening Session, the performance felt less like a formal concert and more like a gathering of family sharing music in a living room.
For listeners watching from their homes, the moment carried a quiet kind of warmth.
There were no bright stage lights or elaborate production effects. Instead, the performance unfolded naturally—voices, guitars, and a sense of togetherness that reflected the song’s message perfectly.
A Song Written for Perspective
“Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)” first appeared on Lukas Nelson’s 2019 album Turn Off the News (Build a Garden), recorded with his band Promise of the Real. Even before the world changed in 2020, the song carried a message about stepping back from the constant noise of modern life.
The lyrics encourage listeners to pause, breathe, and focus on things that truly matter.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed by headlines or endless information, the song suggests turning attention toward simple acts—planting a garden, nurturing relationships, and finding peace in everyday moments.
When the song was performed during the Quarantunes session, that message felt more relevant than ever.
Across the world, people were facing uncertainty, isolation, and anxiety. News updates arrived constantly, often bringing more questions than answers.
Nelson’s song offered something different.
Not an escape from reality, but a reminder that peace can sometimes be found by stepping away from the noise.
A Musical Legacy
Lukas Nelson grew up surrounded by music. As the son of legendary country artist Willie Nelson, he spent much of his childhood watching one of the most respected songwriters in American music.
Yet Lukas Nelson’s career has developed its own unique voice.
While he carries influences from country, rock, and folk traditions, his songwriting often explores themes of reflection, connection, and personal growth. With Promise of the Real, he has built a reputation for blending soulful melodies with thoughtful lyrics.
Over the years, Nelson has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, demonstrating a musical versatility that extends beyond traditional genre boundaries.
But the Quarantunes performance revealed something even more personal.
Music at Home
During the Quarantunes session, Lukas Nelson performed the song surrounded by family members, creating a relaxed atmosphere that felt authentic and intimate. Instead of standing on a stage before thousands of fans, he sat comfortably with a guitar, letting the music unfold naturally.
The simplicity of the moment made the message even more powerful.
Listeners could hear every detail—the gentle strumming of the guitar, the warmth in Nelson’s voice, and the easy rhythm that carried the song forward.
It felt less like a performance and more like a conversation.
For many viewers, that authenticity became the most memorable part of the session.
A Message That Resonated
“Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)” quickly became one of the songs people shared with friends and family during that difficult period.
Its lyrics spoke to something universal: the need to find balance in a world that often moves too quickly.
Rather than reacting to every headline, Nelson encouraged listeners to reconnect with nature, creativity, and community.
The metaphor of building a garden was especially meaningful.
A garden takes patience, care, and attention. It cannot grow overnight. But with time, it becomes a place of beauty and nourishment.
In the same way, the song suggested that peace and resilience grow slowly through everyday acts of kindness and reflection.
Music That Brings People Together
Even though the Quarantunes session took place in a quiet home setting, the performance reached listeners around the world. Through online broadcasts and shared videos, the song connected people who were physically separated but emotionally united by the experience of living through uncertain times.
Moments like that reveal something essential about music.
It does not always need large stages or huge audiences to have an impact.
Sometimes the most meaningful performances happen in small rooms, where songs are shared simply and sincerely.
A Song for the Future
Years from now, listeners may look back at performances like the Quarantunes session as reminders of how music helped people cope during a challenging time.
Lukas Nelson’s message remains timeless.
When life feels overwhelming, it can help to step away from the noise, take a deep breath, and focus on what truly matters.
Sometimes the most powerful act is also the simplest.
Turn off the news.
And build something that grows.