Tennessee plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of iconic country music legend Dolly Parton, following her passing in the music capital at the age of 80. The decision was influenced by a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport’s name change to pay tribute to Parton. Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding this initiative, highlighting the singer’s significant impact on the state.
Lee expressed, “Dolly Parton’s exceptional life is deeply ingrained in the essence of our state. It is only fitting that Nashville International Airport, where Tennessee extends its warm welcome to the world, should bear the name of our state’s beloved figure, embodying Dolly’s enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
The proposal to rename the airport will be deliberated during a meeting on September 17, addressing the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s current naming policy, which typically requires a two-year interval posthumously before naming properties after individuals. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is lending its support to this tribute, emphasizing Parton’s pivotal role in promoting Tennessee’s tourism industry.
Mark Ezell, the commissioner, remarked, “Dolly Parton has been a prominent figure in Tennessee tourism, serving as a key ambassador and the state’s unofficial first lady. Her influence has introduced millions of travelers to the essence of our state even before they arrive. Naming the airport after her resonates with the spirit of Tennessee and the beginning of countless journeys.”
Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and raised in a humble one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, began her musical journey at a young age, performing on the renowned Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at just 13. Her move to Nashville after completing high school marked the start of a remarkable music career that produced timeless hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You.” With over 100 million records sold, Parton stood out as one of the best-selling female artists, earning 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.