Tennessee plans 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 comes after a social media campaign by fans advocating for the airport to bear Parton’s name. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee engaged with Parton’s team regarding this initiative.

Governor Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with the state of Tennessee. He emphasized that renaming the Nashville International Airport after Parton is a fitting tribute to the state’s beloved figure, symbolizing her musical legacy, generosity, faith, and kindness to travelers worldwide.

The proposal to rename the airport, which contradicts the current Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy that requires a two-year gap posthumously, will be discussed during a meeting scheduled for September 17. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development fully supports this renaming, acknowledging Parton as a significant ambassador for Tennessee tourism.

Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and raised in a humble cabin in Locust Ridge, began her illustrious career at a young age. With iconic hits such as “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton became one of the best-selling female artists in history, selling over 100 million records and winning 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.