Tennessee is planning to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of 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 bear Parton’s name posthumously. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding this initiative.
Governor Lee emphasized Parton’s significant impact on Tennessee, stating that her life is deeply intertwined with the state. He expressed that it is fitting for Nashville International Airport to be named after Parton, as it symbolizes the state’s warm welcome to the world with the enduring legacy of her music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
The proposal to rename the airport will be discussed at a meeting on September 17, as the current policy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority prohibits naming any property after an individual who has not been deceased for at least two years.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is supporting the renaming, with Commissioner Mark Ezell describing Parton as a crucial figure in promoting Tennessee tourism. Parton, known as the state’s “first lady and greatest ambassador,” has introduced millions of travelers to Tennessee’s music, landscapes, and hospitality through her work.
Born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a humble one-room cabin in Locust Ridge. Her musical journey began at the age of 13 when she started performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Throughout her career, Parton produced timeless hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” solidifying her status as one of the top-selling female artists worldwide, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.