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 renamed after Parton in light of her recent passing. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged in discussions with Parton’s team regarding this initiative.
Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with the essence of their state. It is deemed appropriate that Nashville International Airport, a place symbolizing Tennessee’s global hospitality, should carry the name of their beloved native daughter, embodying the enduring legacy of Parton’s music, philanthropy, faith, and compassion.
An upcoming meeting on September 17 will address the proposal to rename the airport, considering the current policy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority that typically requires a two-year waiting period after an individual’s passing before naming any property in their honor. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development fully supports this renaming endeavor.
Mark Ezell, the commissioner of the Department of Tourist Development, described Dolly Parton as a prominent figure in Tennessee tourism, serving as a pioneer and a stellar ambassador for the state. He emphasized that even before visiting Tennessee, countless travelers already experience the state’s music, landscapes, and hospitality through Parton’s influence. Renaming the airport after her is seen as a fitting tribute to the countless journeys that commence in Tennessee.
Dolly Parton’s illustrious career began in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946. Raised in a modest one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13. Following her high school graduation, she moved to Nashville to pursue her music career, producing timeless hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton’s musical accomplishments include being one of the top-selling female artists in history, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.