Tennessee officials are moving forward with an effort to place Dolly Parton’s name on one of the state’s most prominent landmarks following the country music icon’s death.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that his administration is working with Nashville International Airport on a proposal that would rename the facility in Parton’s honor.
The potential change would create a permanent tribute at one of Tennessee’s busiest transportation hubs to a woman whose career and charitable work remained closely connected to her home state for decades.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said.
The governor pointed to Parton’s journey from rural East Tennessee to international fame, saying she carried Tennessee’s “Volunteer Spirit” throughout her life.
“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,” Lee added.
Momentum surrounding the proposal accelerated following Parton’s death on Aug. 25 at the age of 80, but the idea predates her passing.
A petition launched in January 2025 calling for Nashville International Airport to carry Parton’s name had collected more than 150,000 signatures by Friday.
Lee’s office has also been in contact with Parton’s representatives about the proposal.
Her team reportedly welcomed the widespread support and was described as “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.”
Parton’s representatives added that the singer “still has a special way of bringing people together for good” and expressed hope that such a tribute could become another reflection of her legacy, per Trending Politics.
The airport cannot be renamed immediately.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority maintains its own naming policy, and the proposal is expected to come before the authority’s board when it meets Sept. 17.
Tennessee lawmakers are pursuing separate efforts to commemorate Parton.
One legislator has said a bill will be introduced to formally rename the airport, while another proposal would designate Sept. 25 as “9 to 5 Day,” referencing Parton’s famous song and 1980 film.
Additional tributes could be considered when Tennessee lawmakers return to the state Capitol in January.
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority President and CEO Doug Kreulen said Parton embodied many of the principles the airport seeks to represent.
“BNA is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” Kreulen said.
He credited Parton with promoting dignity and kindness regardless of a person’s background or economic status, adding that those principles are also central to how BNA seeks to treat travelers.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has thrown his support behind the proposal as well.
O’Connell noted that Parton had been working with Nashville on SongTeller, a planned hotel and museum project that she described as her “love letter to Nashville.”
“Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly — by renaming Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport in Nashville,” O’Connell said.
The mayor said city officials have remained in communication with Parton’s family and team as they mourn her death and consider appropriate ways to publicly recognize her.
Support has also emerged from officials across party lines.
Metro Councilman Jordan Huffman said he could think of “no better name” for the airport.
Tennessee state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D) similarly expressed support while emphasizing that the process should be handled properly.
“I would love to see this happen,” Campbell said. “It just has to happen the right way, and Dolly, of all people, deserves it done right.”
If the proposal clears the necessary hurdles, Nashville International Airport would become Dolly Parton International Airport, placing the Tennessee native’s name on a gateway used by millions of travelers each year.
