Tennessee plans to change the name of Nashville International Airport to honor 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. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team to discuss this initiative, emphasizing Parton’s significant impact on the state.
Governor Lee expressed, “Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with our state’s heritage. It is fitting for Nashville International Airport to carry the name of Tennessee’s beloved daughter, embodying the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness to welcome travelers from around the world.”
A meeting scheduled for September 17 will address the proposal to rename the airport, considering the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which typically requires a two-year period after a person’s passing before naming a property in their honor, The New York Times noted.
Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development is supporting the renaming initiative, with Commissioner Mark Ezell stating, “Dolly Parton has been a key figure in promoting Tennessee’s tourism, showcasing our music, landscapes, and hospitable culture to millions worldwide. Renaming the airport after her would truly symbolize the essence of Tennessee.”
Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tenn., and raised in a modest cabin in Locust Ridge, began her musical career at a young age. Her iconic songs like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You” have solidified her as one of the top-selling female artists, having sold over 100 million records. Parton’s musical contributions earned her 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.