The Nashville airport’s governing board voted unanimously on Friday (Sept. 11) to start the process of renaming the facility after Dolly Parton. The move recognizes the late country star, who passed away Aug. 25 at age 80, after a short battle with cancer.
The board of commissioners for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority unanimously voted to begin changing the airport’s name in honor of Parton. The vote was 6-0. No final name has been settled on yet.
“We are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” the authority said, describing the vote as “the first step in a multifaceted process” and noting it expects to share more detailed plans in the coming months.
The Board’s Decision
After a long push from the public, the vote has come. A petition to change the name of the airport “Dolly Parton International Airport” was started in early 2025. It gathered steam following Parton’s death and now exceeds 175,000 signatures.
The board was forced to change its established naming policy, a rule that usually demands airport properties honor individuals who have been dead for at least two years.
Who Decides the Final Name
The final name will be decided jointly by airport leaders and the Dollywood Foundation, the nonprofit Parton established in 1988. The foundation oversees the Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children.
The foundation’s participation keeps Parton’s charitable legacy at the center of the tribute. More than just a musician, she was honored for her giving, especially through the library initiative.
Bipartisan Support
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed the change shortly after Dolly Parton’s death, with Nashville’s Democratic mayor, Freddie O’Connell, came out in favor of it. The proposal drew support from across party lines.
On Sept. 1, the city’s Metro Council adopted a supporting resolution without opposition, according to its own record. The council’s action was described by “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,” Lee in an initial statement.
A Legacy of Music and Giving
Parton was a Tennessee native born in Sevier County. She became one of the most successful and beloved figures in American music, selling more than 100 million records worldwide across a seven-decade career.
Among her many musical accomplishments, she has topped the Billboard Hot 100 with both “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream.”, and she owns the record for the most No. 1s by a woman on the Hot Country Songs chart, with 25. She also became a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
What Happens Next
There is no set timetable yet for finishing the name change, even though the authority has promised to release more detailed plans over the next few months. The project remains at an early stage.
The vote starts the complex procedure that the authority outlined.
Key Facts Box
- Vote: 6-0, unanimous
- Date of death: Aug. 25, age 80
- Petition signatures: Surpassed 175,000
- Records sold: More than 100 million worldwide
- Hot Country Songs No. 1s: 25, a record for a woman
- Imagination Library: Distributed hundreds of millions of books to children
Comparing Parton’s Musical Achievements
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Hot 100 singles | “9 to 5,” “Islands in the Stream” |
| Hot Country Songs No. 1s | 25, a record for a woman |
| Records sold | More than 100 million worldwide |
| Imagination Library books distributed | Hundreds of millions |
A woman who devoted decades to welcoming the world to Tennessee has received a fitting honor through the vote. The airport will move forward with her name attached, making Nashville International a tribute to her legacy.