Tennessee has announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music legend Dolly Parton, who passed away at 80 in the heart of country music, Nashville. 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 significant impact on the state.
Governor Lee expressed, “Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with our state’s history. It is fitting that Nashville International Airport, where Tennessee embraces the world, carries the name of our beloved daughter, Dolly, embodying her enduring legacy of music, philanthropy, faith, and compassion.”
The proposal to rename the airport will be reviewed at a meeting on Sept. 17, addressing the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s policy, which typically requires a two-year waiting period after an individual’s passing before naming property in their honor. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is in full support of renaming the airport, recognizing Parton as a vital figure in promoting Tennessee’s tourism.
Mark Ezell, the commissioner of the department, stated, “Dolly Parton has been a cherished figure in Tennessee tourism, serving as a prominent ambassador for our state. Through her music and persona, millions of travelers have been introduced to the beauty of our state even before setting foot here. There couldn’t be a more fitting name for the airport where countless Tennessee journeys commence.”
Dolly Parton, born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, spent her early years in a modest cabin in Locust Ridge. Her career took off when she began performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville at just 13 years old. After completing high school, she relocated to Nashville to pursue her music career.
Known for iconic hits such as “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton cemented her status as one of the top-selling female artists in history, selling over 100 million records. She was honored with 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.