Tennessee intends to rename Nashville airport for Dolly Parton
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced Friday that the state is intending to rename Nashville's airport in honor of Dolly Parton, the beloved country music legend who died Tuesday at 80 after a brief cancer battle. The proposal would name the gateway to Music City after Tennessee's most celebrated daughter.
Lee said he spoke with Parton's team about the proposal this week. Her team expressed appreciation for the support and is open to continuing the conversation, according to a joint announcement from the governor and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport intend to rename the airport after Dolly Parton.
- A Change.org petition for Dolly Parton International Airport had more than 155,000 verified signatures as of Friday.
- Parton's team is open to continuing talks about the tribute after her death at 80 following a brief cancer battle.
- The Metro Nashville Airport Authority will discuss the proposal at its next meeting on Sept. 17.
- Parton previously asked lawmakers to withdraw a 2021 Capitol statue bill, saying she did not belong on a pedestal at that time.
Why is Tennessee intending to rename Nashville's airport?
The proposal would place Parton's name on the gateway to Music City, connecting the hub with a woman whose music, philanthropy and Tennessee roots made her perhaps the state's most celebrated figure.
"Dolly Parton's extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee said. "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."
The announcement comes amid a groundswell of support following Parton's death. For more on the icon's legacy, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
How much public support does the renaming campaign have?
A Change.org petition titled "Rename Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport" had accumulated 155,501 verified signatures, according to the petition page.
Launched in January 2025 by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion, the petition cited Parton's philanthropy and Imagination Library literacy program. Following her death this week, organizers said tens of thousands of additional supporters signed and renewed their push to rename Nashville's airport.
Which Tennessee officials are backing the airport tribute?
State Rep. Todd Warner said he would introduce legislation supporting the change. "Yes I will definitely introduce legislation to rename the BNA airport Dolly Parton International Airport! Thanks, TW," Warner wrote on the petition page.
Nashville Council member Russ Bradford said he would sponsor a resolution asking the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider the change, noting the authority has the ultimate say over the airport's name.
What did Dolly Parton say about past Tennessee honors?
Parton had previously resisted efforts to put her legacy on a pedestal. In 2021, she asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a bill for a statue of her at the state Capitol.
"Given all that is going on in the world, I don't think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time," Parton said then. She added that if lawmakers still felt she deserved the honor someday, she would "stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean."
When will officials decide on the new airport name?
The proposal will be discussed at the Metro Nashville Airport Authority's next meeting on Sept. 17, according to their release, as reported by Page Six.