Tennessee 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’s name change to pay tribute to Parton after her recent passing at the age of 80. Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding the renaming, emphasizing her significant impact on the state.
“Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply ingrained in the essence of our state,” stated Governor Lee. “It is only fitting that Nashville International Airport, 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 discussed at a meeting on Sept. 17, addressing the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which typically requires a two-year gap following an individual’s passing before naming a property after them. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development supports the initiative, recognizing Parton as a pivotal figure in promoting Tennessee’s tourism and cultural heritage.
Born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Dolly Parton grew up in a modest cabin in Locust Ridge. Her music career took off when she began performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13. Parton’s iconic songs like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You” solidified her status as one of the top-selling female artists in history, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.