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. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding this initiative.
Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with the essence of Tennessee. He stated that it is fitting for Nashville International Airport to bear the name of the state’s cherished icon, as it symbolizes the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
The proposal to rename the airport will be deliberated at a meeting on Sept. 17, as the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy typically requires a person to be deceased for at least two years before any property can be named after them. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is in favor of this renaming, with Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighting Parton’s significant role in promoting Tennessee’s tourism and culture.
Dolly Parton, born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, spent her formative years in a humble one-room cabin in Locust Ridge. She began her music career at a young age and later moved to Nashville to pursue her passion. With iconic hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton became one of the highest-selling female artists, selling over 100 million records and winning 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.