Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have both voiced support for renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton. The idea came after fans launched an online petition in January 2025 calling for the airport to be renamed. This would make Parton the first woman to have her name on one of America’s 50 busiest airports. Governor Lee said the airport should reflect the legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness. Parton was born in poverty in East Tennessee and became a beloved icon across generations and political lines. Other airports in the U.S. have been named after famous figures like Muhammad Ali and Louis Armstrong. However, most airport names honor men, with only a few exceptions such as the Clinton National Airport in Arkansas and Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Kansas. The airport authority’s policy requires that names be for people who have been dead at least two years. Gov. Lee’s proposal and the naming rule will be discussed at the next meeting of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority on September 17.
The airport’s current code, BNA, pays tribute to Colonel Harry S. Berry, according to Yahoo News. A petition in support of the name change was reinvigorated after Parton’s passing. Organizers Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion said a key decision-maker had responded to their campaign. Singer Sheryl Crow also backed the petition. Popovich and Dion expressed their joy in a follow-up interview with Fox 17 News. They said they were happy people recognize how special Dolly Parton was.
Parton’s music continues to resonate globally, with three of her singles in the UK top 40 this week, according to a report from the BBC. One of those songs, ‘9 to 5,’ reached number 12 on the UK chart after previously peaking at number 47 in 1981. Music critic Victoria Segal noted that the Ian Broudie-produced album included stylistically playful tracks like ‘One Eye Open’ and ‘Favourite Kind of Idiot’. These songs blend personal and political themes in a way that reflects Parton’s enduring influence.
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