Beyoncé Reveals Stevie Wonder Played Harmonica on 'Jolene' Cover During Her Win at the iHeartRadio Music Awards

Awards

by Nika Shakhnazarova

Beyoncé has an impressive list of collaborators on her new album “Cowboy Carter” — and one of them is none other than music legend Stevie Wonder.

After receiving the Innovator Award At the iHeartRadio Music Awards At the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Monday night, the “Texas Hold 'Em” singer lunged at the 25-time Grammy winner, who handed her a bell.

“Now, Beyoncé is changing music and culture again,” Wonder said of her latest record. “And when it doesn’t change music, it changes the world, and it fights the good fight.”

As the mother-of-three accepted the award, she thanked the “I Wish” hitmaker for “making room for all of us.”

“And thank you for playing the harmonica on Jolene’s song,” she added.

“Tonight you called me an innovator, and I'm very grateful for that,” the 32-time Grammy winner said. “Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that role can be very bumpy. To be innovative is to say what everyone thinks is impossible.”

“Being innovative often means being criticized, which often tests your mental strength. She added that innovation is about relying on faith, and trusting that God will take you and guide you.”

Beyoncé addressed labels, radio stations and award shows to be “more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art without any preconceived notions.”

She then named several Black artists, including Rosetta Tharpe, Linda Martell, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and Wonder, who have dedicated their lives “and their art to creating transformations.”

She also paid special tribute to her husband, Jay-Z, and their three children.

The singer's country music-inspired record dropped on Friday.

“Cowboy Carter” features a variety of guest singers and surprise collaborators, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.

Her long-awaited eighth studio album follows her 2022 release “Chapter One: Renaissance.”

Other joy-inducing songs on Beyoncé's album are “Texas Hold 'Em,” “16 Carriages,” “Bodyguard,” and “Oh Louisiana.”

Earlier this month, Beyoncé revealed the reason that prompted her to create her new music, noting that it was well received. CMA Performance of 2016 with the Chicks It's what motivated her.