Tennessee plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music legend Dolly Parton, as announced on Friday. The decision follows a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport to be named after Parton posthumously. Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team to discuss the renaming, emphasizing the singer’s significant impact on Tennessee.
Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with the state’s heritage. He highlighted that renaming Nashville International Airport after the beloved artist would be a fitting tribute, showcasing Dolly’s enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness to travelers worldwide.
The proposal to rename the airport will be deliberated at a meeting on Sept. 17, addressing the current naming policy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which typically requires a two-year period after an individual’s passing before naming any property. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is supporting the initiative, with Commissioner Mark Ezell acknowledging Parton’s invaluable role in promoting Tennessee as a tourist destination.
Born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Dolly Parton spent her early years in a humble cabin in Locust Ridge. She made her mark in the music industry at a young age, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at just 13. Over the course of her career, she produced iconic hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” solidifying her status as one of the top-selling female artists, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards under her belt.