Tennessee plans to change the name of Nashville International Airport to honor the late country music legend Dolly Parton. The decision follows a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport to be renamed after Parton. Governor Bill Lee discussed the renaming with Parton’s team, emphasizing her significant impact on the state.
Governor Lee stated, “Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with Tennessee. It is fitting that Nashville International Airport, as a gateway where Tennessee embraces the world, should bear the name of our state’s beloved daughter, embodying the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
The proposal to rename the airport will be reviewed at a meeting on Sept. 17, considering the current policy that typically requires a two-year gap after a person’s passing before naming properties after them. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development supports the renaming, recognizing Parton as a key figure in promoting Tennessee’s attractions and spirit.
Parton, born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tenn., and raised in Locust Ridge, began her music career at a young age, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Renowned for hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” she became one of the top-selling female artists globally, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards to her name, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.