Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced a proposal Friday to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of country music singer Dolly Parton. The announcement followed Parton’s death on Tuesday at the age of 80 due to cancer. Lee stated that the change would be a fitting tribute to a figure whose life and music are closely tied to the state’s identity and international reputation.
The proposal comes amid a surge of public support for honoring the singer, including an online petition that had gained more than 157,000 signatures as of Friday. Although the petition has existed for over a year, tens of thousands of supporters signed it following Parton’s death. The initiative has received support from singer Sheryl Crow and Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner.
Implementing the name change may require a modification to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) current naming policy. The existing guidelines specify that airport properties should only be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least two years. Gov. Lee’s office said the naming policy and the renaming proposal are scheduled for discussion by the airport authority during its meeting on September 17.
The Metro Nashville Airport Authority must decide whether to waive or amend its standing two-year waiting period for memorial renamings. Nashville International Airport, currently identified by the code BNA, serves as a primary gateway for the state.
Parton was born in a one-room cabin in Sevier County and rose to global fame. She was known for her philanthropic work in the state, including sponsoring college scholarships and funding a hospital in her home county. The change would place Nashville’s airport alongside other U.S. facilities named after prominent cultural or political figures, such as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and John Wayne Airport in California.
Other legislative efforts are already underway to honor the singer, including a bill introduced by state Sen. Jessie Seal to designate September 25 as "9 to 5" Day. The MNAA will review the governor's proposal and the necessary policy adjustments at its scheduled meeting on September 17. No timeline for a final vote or an effective date for the name change has been established.