Tennessee is set to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music legend, Dolly Parton, following her recent passing at the age of 80. The decision to rename the airport came after a social media campaign by fans advocating for the change. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee discussed the renaming proposal with Parton’s team this week, as confirmed by statements from the airport and the governor’s office.

Governor Lee emphasized the significance of Dolly Parton’s impact on Tennessee, stating that her remarkable life has become an integral part of the state’s identity. He noted that renaming the Nashville International Airport after Parton would be a fitting tribute to the beloved singer, showcasing her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness to travelers from around the world.

The proposal to rename the airport will be deliberated at a meeting on September 17, considering the current policy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which typically requires a two-year waiting period after an individual’s passing before naming any property after them. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is fully supporting the initiative, with Commissioner Mark Ezell describing Dolly Parton as a prominent figure in promoting Tennessee tourism and showcasing the state’s cultural richness to millions of visitors through her music and persona.

Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, spent her formative years in a humble one-room cabin in Locust Ridge. Her early start in the music industry led her to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 13, and she later relocated to Nashville to pursue a successful music career. With iconic hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton became one of the top-selling female artists of all time, selling over 100 million records and earning 11 Grammy Awards, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.