Tennessee plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music legend, Dolly Parton, following her recent passing at the age of 80. This decision stems from a social media initiative by fans advocating for the airport to be named after Parton. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team to discuss this renaming proposal, emphasizing Parton’s significant impact on the state.
Governor Lee expressed, “Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy is deeply intertwined with Tennessee. It is only fitting that Nashville International Airport, where our state welcomes visitors from around the world, bears the name of our beloved icon, showcasing the enduring essence of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and compassion.”
The matter of renaming the airport will be deliberated during a meeting on September 17, where the current policy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which typically requires a two-year period after an individual’s passing before naming facilities after them, will be addressed. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development fully supports this renaming proposal.
Mark Ezell, the commissioner of the department, highlighted Parton’s pivotal role in promoting Tennessee tourism, stating, “Dolly Parton has been a prominent figure and a leading ambassador for Tennessee tourism. Her influence has introduced millions of travelers to our music, landscapes, and warm hospitality. There couldn’t be a more fitting name for the gateway where countless journeys across Tennessee begin.”
Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, spent her childhood in a humble one-room cabin in Locust Ridge. She made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13 and later relocated to Nashville to pursue a career in music. With timeless hits such as “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton solidified her status as one of the best-selling female artists in history, selling over 100 million records and earning 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.