Tennessee is set 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 to be named after Parton. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding this initiative.
Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s exceptional life is deeply intertwined with the essence of Tennessee. He emphasized that the airport, as a place where the world is welcomed, is a fitting location to carry the name of Tennessee’s beloved daughter, Dolly, embodying her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
The proposal to rename the airport will be reviewed during a meeting on September 17, taking into account the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which typically requires a two-year waiting period after an individual’s passing before naming a property after them.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development fully supports the renaming, acknowledging Dolly Parton’s significant role as a prominent figure in Tennessee tourism. Commissioner Mark Ezell described her as the state’s foremost tourism ambassador, with millions of travelers already familiar with Tennessee’s culture, landscapes, and hospitality through her influence.
Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, spent her early years in a modest cabin in Locust Ridge. Beginning her music career early, she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13. Parton went on to become one of the most successful female artists in history, selling over 100 million records and winning 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
