Beyoncé thanked Stevie Wonder for playing the harmonica on her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”
The pop star covered the classic track on her new album, Cowboy Carter, and she revealed Wonder’s involvement when he presented her with the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 1.
“Thank you so much, Stevie, I love you. I love you and I honor you. I want to thank you for making a way for all of us. I’m honored to receive this recognition from you, Stevie Wonder. Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone I can listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you. So thank you, God bless you,” Beyoncé stated in her acceptance speech.
“I want to thank you for motivating the world to be a better place,” shes said before adding, “And thank you for playing the harmonica on ‘Jolene.'”
“Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy,” Beyoncé then went on to talk about her award.
“Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticised, which often will test your mental strength,” the “Ya Ya” singer continued.
“Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you. So, to all the record labels, every radio station, every award show — I hope that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions,” Beyoncé stated, addressing the institutions that gatekeep the music industry and, more than likely, her negative experience when she at the CMAs in 2016 when she performed with The Chicks.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts. So thank you for your sacrifices, your powerful voices and your dauntless spirits.” the singer said.
“Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe. Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and so many more who defied any label placed upon them. Thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow,”Beyoncé concluded, also thanking her husband Jay-Z — who she her called her “rock” — and their three children.
The event also featured a tribute to pop icon Cher, who received the Icon Award, as well as performances by Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Tate McRae.
