Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that the state intends to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of country music legend Dolly Parton. The proposal comes after significant public support for a tribute to the iconic singer, who died this week at age 80.
Lee stated he discussed the potential renaming with Parton's team, who expressed appreciation and openness to further conversation. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority confirmed the joint announcement. If approved, Parton's name would be placed on the airport, recognizing her deep connection to Tennessee and her global impact through music, philanthropy, and her Imagination Library literacy program.
"Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee said in a statement. "From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her. 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 and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness."
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The move is supported by a Change.org petition, which has garnered over 155,000 verified signatures. The petition, originally launched in January 2025 by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion, gained renewed momentum following Parton's death. The petition organizers noted Parton's influence extended beyond her music, highlighting her charitable work.
State Representative Todd Warner has indicated he will introduce legislation supporting the airport name change. Nashville Council member Russ Bradford also pledged to sponsor a resolution urging the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider the renaming, though he clarified that the authority holds the final decision-making power.
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This potential honor comes despite Parton's past reluctance to have her legacy memorialized in such ways. In 2021, Parton requested that Tennessee lawmakers withdraw a bill proposing a statue of her at the state Capitol. At the time, she stated that she did not believe such an honor was appropriate given the world's challenges but left open the possibility for future consideration.
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The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to discuss the proposal at its next meeting on September 17.