Tennessee officials have announced a proposal to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) in honor of country music superstar Dolly Parton. The move follows an outpouring of public support, including a Change.org petition that garnered over 155,000 signatures.
Gov. Bill Lee stated he has spoken with Parton's team about the proposal, and they have expressed appreciation and openness to further discussion. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is expected to consider the renaming at its next meeting on September 17.
"Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee said. "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."
The Change.org petition, initiated by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion, gained significant traction following Parton's recent passing. Supporters highlighted her extensive philanthropy and her Imagination Library literacy program as reasons for the tribute.
State Representative Todd Warner has indicated he will introduce legislation to support the renaming. Nashville Council member Russ Bradford also announced his sponsorship of a resolution urging the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider the change, noting that the authority holds the ultimate decision-making power regarding the airport's name.
Parton herself has previously expressed reservations about honors that place her legacy on a pedestal. In 2021, she requested Tennessee lawmakers withdraw a bill that would have allowed a statue of her on the state Capitol grounds. At the time, she stated, "Given all that is going on in the world, I don't think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time." She left open the possibility for such an honor at a later date or posthumously.
Parton, a native of Sevierville, Tennessee, is celebrated for her extensive career in music, acting, and business, as well as her significant charitable contributions. The proposal to rename the airport aims to connect the transportation hub with a figure deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of Tennessee.