Dolly Parton's Legacy Soars: Nashville Airport Set for Iconic Renaming
Tennessee is set to honor the late country music icon Dolly Parton by renaming Nashville International Airport in her memory. Governor Bill Lee and Mayor Freddie O’Connell have publicly supported the initiative, which will be discussed by the Metro Nashville Airport Authority on September 17. This move follows a massive public petition and aims to reflect Parton's enduring legacy.
Following the recent passing of country music legend Dolly Parton on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer, the state of Tennessee is moving to honor her extraordinary legacy in a significant way. On Friday, August 28, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and officials from Nashville International Airport (BNA) announced their plans to rename the travel hub in Parton’s honor, ensuring her enduring spirit greets visitors to Music City.
Governor Lee emphasized the profound impact Parton had on the state, stating, “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state. 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.” He also noted that Parton’s team had expressed their appreciation for the overwhelming outpouring of support and were open to continuing discussions regarding the renaming.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell publicly endorsed the initiative, sharing his support on Instagram. Mayor O’Connell highlighted Parton’s deep connection to Nashville, mentioning her ongoing work on a "remarkable hotel and museum — SongTeller — that she called her love letter to Nashville.” He added, “Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly — by renaming Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport in Nashville.”
The formal process for this significant change will commence with a discussion at a Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) meeting scheduled for September 17. This meeting will address the MNAA’s current naming policy alongside Governor Lee’s proposal. Additional details are anticipated to be revealed in the weeks following the discussion. MNAA president and CEO Doug Kreulen underscored the airport’s role, stating, “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.”
The announcement by state and airport officials aligns with a strong public sentiment. Earlier in the week, a Change.org petition advocating for the renaming of Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport had garnered substantial support, collecting over 164,000 signatures by Saturday morning, August 29, demonstrating widespread desire to honor the beloved singer-songwriter.