Proposal Announced
On Friday, Tennessee's governor and Nashville International Airport jointly announced plans to rename the facility after Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday at 80 following a short illness. The governor had consulted Parton's representatives, who conveyed their gratitude. The proposal is scheduled for discussion at the Metro Nashville Airport Authority's September 17 meeting.[S1][S2][S3]
According to The New York Times, the airport's current naming rules forbid naming facilities after individuals who have been deceased for less than two years. To proceed, the authority would need to amend this regulation. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration would have to give its final approval.[S4][S3]
Public Support and Petition
A Change.org petition advocating for the airport's renaming was initiated in January 2025 by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion. Following Parton's death, it gained momentum, amassing over 160,000 signatures by Friday night. The effort has received backing from Nashville Council member Russ Bradford and State Rep. Todd Warner, who has committed to introducing supportive legislation.[S1][S2][S3]
Doug Kreulen, the Nashville Airport Authority's president and CEO, remarked that the airport serves as Music City's gateway and should mirror the community's values, which Parton exemplified. He stressed that BNA shares Parton's dedication to treating all visitors with dignity and warmth.[S5]
Parton's Legacy
Parton, a native of rural Tennessee, rose to become one of the top-selling female artists ever, with over 100 million records sold and 11 Grammy Awards. She was celebrated for songs like 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You,' and for her charitable work, including the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children by mail.[S4][S3]
In 2021, Parton requested that Tennessee lawmakers withdraw a bill proposing a statue of her on the state Capitol grounds, stating she was honored but humbled by the gesture. This latest tribute is among several this week, including AMC Theatres re-releasing her films and flags being lowered to half-staff until Sept. 1.[S2][S5]
