Photo Credit:Getty Images
Nashville International Airport could soon be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton, following a proposal announced by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee just three days after the country music legend died at 80.
Lee and the airport announced the proposal Friday, Aug. 28, saying the governor had already spoken with representatives for Parton. Her team was described as "touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation."
"At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state's favorite daughter," Lee said, adding that the airport could carry forward Parton's legacy of "music, generosity, faith, and kindness."
The proposal comes as a long-running campaign to rename the airport gains momentum. Tennessee residents Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion launched a Change.org petition in January 2025 calling for the facility to become Dolly Parton International Airport. Following her death on Aug. 25, the campaign was "reinvigorated," with more than 150,000 signatures recorded by Friday afternoon.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell also backed the idea, pointing to Parton's connection to the city through the SongTeller hotel and museum project she had been developing.
"Dolly was in the process of working with us on a remarkable hotel and museum," O'Connell said. "Now it's our turn to share a love letter to Dolly."
The campaign has also attracted support from Nashville musician Sheryl Crow, who said she supported changing the airport's name. Tennessee State Rep. Todd Warner has likewise pledged to introduce legislation supporting the proposal.
However, the change is not yet final. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority's naming policy would need to be considered, as it currently requires people honored through airport naming to have been dead for at least two years. The authority is scheduled to discuss Lee's proposal and the policy at its Sept. 17 meeting.
Any rebranding would also require changes to airport signage and other materials, while previous officials have noted that approval from the Federal Aviation Administration would be necessary.
