Beyoncé might not have been recognized at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards, but Willie Jones wanted to give her some love.
“I know Beyoncé wasn’t nominated tonight, but I gotta say Beyoncé had the greatest country album of all time,” Jones, 30, exclusively told Us Weekly on the CMA Awards red carpet on Wednesday, November 20. “And I’m so honored to be a part [of it.]”
Jones collaborated with Beyoncé, 43, on her album Cowboy Carter, which hit shelves in March. He was featured on the track “Just For Fun.” For Jones, getting the chance to work with Beyoncé was a “super honor” as he is “a fan of her music.”
“To get the call and answer the call and pull up one idea, accept the call, and just even listen to the album,” he reflected of the whirlwind experience. “Some of my friends from Nashville are also a part of the album.”
In addition to Jones’ feature, the country singer was also ecstatic to see some of his friends including Brittney Spencer, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts in the genre also get the chance to be featured.
“It’s a momentous occasion,” he told Us. “And I love that Beyoncé opened up so many people’s ears to what she can do.”
Jones also gushed about being featured on the album alongside another one of his favorite artists, Miley Cyrus, who he “grew up listening to.”
“It is like [a] dream come true, honestly,” he said of the experience.
Beyoncé dropped Cowboy Carter in March and instantly made history. She became the first Black woman to top the Hot Country Songs chart.
Beyoncé. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Jones wasn’t the only country star to defend Beyoncé as she was snubbed by the CMAs. Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, voiced his surprise that the “Texas Hold Em” singer wasn’t nominated for a single award.
“I was surprised to see @beyonce wasn’t nominated??? Her album was brilliant … her single ruled,” the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer, 63, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday. “But she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA … or permission …. or approval from any of their judges.”
While Beyoncé wasn’t in contention at the CMAs, she will have a chance to shine bright at the Grammys. After the nominations were released earlier this month, the singer broke a record when she became the most-nominated artist in Grammy Awards history. Beyoncé scored 11 nominations this year — including Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted.”
With reporting by Aria Parker
