Nashville’s airport would be renamed for Dolly Parton under Tennessee governor’s proposal

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday proposed renaming Nashville International Airport for Dolly Parton, days after the country music icon died at 80. Lee said he discussed the proposal with Parton’s representatives, who expressed appreciation and openness to further discussion. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to consider the proposal and its naming policy on Sept. 17. The authority’s current policy, most recently updated in 2024, generally requires honorees to have been deceased for at least two years and to have made a substantial contribution to the authority or aviation in Middle Tennessee. A petition launched in January 2025 gained more than 150,000 signatures after Parton’s Aug. 25 death, according to local reports Friday. The proposal therefore remains pending, rather than an approved renaming. Parton, a Tennessee native, became a global singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist whose career included “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”