Nashville International Airport is one step closer to being renamed in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton, following a unanimous vote by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. The authority voted 6-0 to begin the process of modifying the airport's name, though a final decision on the specific name has not yet been made.
Officials emphasized that this vote marks the initial phase of a comprehensive process. More detailed plans regarding the implementation and final name are expected in the coming months. "While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton's name and legacy will be incorporated," the airport authority stated.
The move follows a prior effort to honor Parton, a Tennessee native, at the airport. In August, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced plans to pursue the renaming. At the time, Gov. Lee indicated he had spoken with Parton's representatives, who expressed appreciation for the support and openness to further discussions.
This initiative also garnered significant public backing, with a petition advocating for the airport to be renamed "Dolly Parton International Airport" accumulating over 155,000 verified signatures.
Parton maintains deep connections to Tennessee, having become one of the state's most prominent figures through her music, philanthropic work, and the Imagination Library literacy program. This is not the first time an honor for Parton in her home state has been proposed. In 2021, Parton requested that Tennessee lawmakers withdraw legislation that would have led to a statue of her being erected at the state capitol. She stated at the time, "I am honored and humbled by their intention, but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to remove the bill from any and all consideration." Parton did, however, leave open the possibility for future recognition, saying, "I hope, though, that somewhere down the road, several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone, if you still feel I deserve it, then I'm certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean."