Tennessee plans to change the name of Nashville International Airport to honor the late country music legend Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 in Nashville earlier this week. The decision follows a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport to be renamed in tribute to Parton. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team to discuss this initiative, as confirmed by statements from the airport and the governor’s office.
Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply ingrained in Tennessee’s heritage and culture. He highlighted the significance of having Nashville International Airport bear the name of the state’s beloved figure, reflecting Dolly’s enduring musical legacy, generosity, faith, and kindness to welcome travelers from around the world.
The proposal to rename the airport will be examined during a meeting on September 17, in consideration of the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which typically requires a person to be deceased for at least two years before a property can be named after them, as reported by The New York Times. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is supporting this renaming endeavor.
Mark Ezell, the commissioner of Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development, emphasized Dolly Parton’s significant role as a prominent figure in Tennessee tourism and as a leading ambassador for the state. He highlighted how Parton has effectively showcased Tennessee’s music, landscapes, and hospitality to millions of travelers worldwide, making her an ideal choice for the airport’s new name.
Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tenn., and raised in a modest cabin in Locust Ridge, began her musical journey by performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13. With iconic hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” she became one of the top-selling female artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records. Parton’s illustrious career spanned nearly six decades, earning her 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
