Nashville International Airport to Honor Dolly Parton with Name Change
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, alongside the Nashville International Airport, has announced plans to rename the airport in tribute to the iconic country music star, Dolly Parton, who recently passed away.
In a statement released on Friday, Lee mentioned he had communicated the proposal to Dolly’s team earlier in the week. The response was positive, with her representatives expressing gratitude for the support received and hopes that this honor could reflect Dolly’s legacy of unity and goodwill.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee remarked. “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 new name will prominently feature at the airport as a celebration of Parton’s musical achievements, including beloved hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” which have resonated with audiences across generations.
Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, stated, “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. Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life.”
Kreulen also emphasized the importance of treating every traveler with dignity and kindness, values that he believes align closely with Dolly’s message and vision.
The push for this name change was notably supported by a Change.org petition that garnered nearly 165,000 signatures. This campaign began in early January 2025 but gained momentum following Parton’s recent passing on August 25th. Tennessee state Representative Todd Warner became involved, promising to bring the suggestion to the state legislature.
“She is not only a celebrated artist who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music but also a philanthropist known for her countless contributions to society. It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman,” petition organizers Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion expressed in 2025.
Interestingly, Dolly had previously turned down a tribute from the Tennessee government. In 2021, she asked lawmakers to withdraw a bill that would have allowed for a statue in her honor at the state Capitol, citing the challenging times the nation was facing.
“I am honored and humbled by their intention, but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to remove the bill from any and all consideration,” she stated on social media.
Nevertheless, she mentioned that she wouldn’t rule out the idea of being honored in the future.
“Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time,” Dolly explained. “I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I’m gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I’m certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”
Dolly Parton, who was born in a modest cabin in Sevier County, Tennessee, was the fourth of twelve children. Her father worked various jobs, including as a sharecropper and a construction worker. Despite being illiterate, he was highly intelligent. Dolly’s first performances were within her family’s church, led by her grandfather.
Beyond her musical success, Dolly’s philanthropic efforts—such as the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library—have made a significant impact, providing countless books to children globally to support literacy initiatives.
This renaming would place Dolly among other celebrities honored through similar airport name changes, like Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Muhammad Ali International Airport. However, it would distinguish her as the first woman in the U.S. to have an international airport named in her honor.
The proposal is set to be discussed at the Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s upcoming meeting on September 27th.
