Tennessee has announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music legend, Dolly Parton. The decision follows a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport to be named after Parton. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee discussed the renaming with Parton’s team, emphasizing her deep connection to the state.
Governor Lee stated that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life has become an integral part of Tennessee’s identity. Given her status as the state’s beloved figure, it is deemed appropriate for Nashville International Airport to bear her name, symbolizing her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
The proposal to rename the airport will be reviewed at a meeting on Sept. 17, considering the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which typically requires a two-year gap after an individual’s passing before naming a property in their honor. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development fully supports the renaming, recognizing Parton as a significant tourism figure and ambassador for the state.
Parton, born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tenn., spent her early years in a humble cabin in Locust Ridge. She embarked on her music career at a young age, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at just 13. With iconic hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton became one of the top-selling female artists globally, selling over 100 million records and winning 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.