Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that the state intends to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. The announcement came from Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in a joint statement.
According to Fox News, Lee said he spoke directly with Parton's team about the proposal this week. Her team expressed appreciation for the support and indicated they are open to continuing the conversation.
Parton was born and raised in rural East Tennessee. Her career spanned decades and included not only music but also significant philanthropy. Among her best-known charitable efforts is the Imagination Library literacy program, which provides free books to children.
Lee addressed the proposal in a formal statement. "Dolly Parton's extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee said. "From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her." He added: "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 and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly's music, generosity, faith, and kindness."
The push to rename the airport did not begin with Parton's death. A Change.org petition titled "Rename Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport" was originally launched in January 2025 by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion. The organizers argued that Parton's influence extended well beyond her music, pointing specifically to her philanthropy and the Imagination Library program. Following news of her death this week, tens of thousands of additional supporters signed the petition. As of the announcement, it had accumulated 155,501 verified signatures.
State legislators have also begun to act. State Rep. Todd Warner indicated he would bring the matter to the legislature. "Yes I will definitely introduce legislation to rename the BNA airport Dolly Parton International Airport! Thanks, TW," Warner wrote in a response reproduced by Change.org.
At the local level, Nashville Council member Russ Bradford said he would sponsor a resolution asking the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider the change. Bradford was clear that the authority, not the city council, holds the final decision on the airport's name. "I'm proud to sponsor a resolution asking the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to consider renaming BNA to Dolly Parton International Airport," Bradford said.
The airport is commonly known by its code, BNA, which stands for Berry Field Nashville, a name tied to the site's history as a military airfield. A name change of this scale would require action from the airport authority, and potentially the state legislature as well, depending on how the process moves forward.
Parton died at age 80. She had been one of the most recognized figures in the history of country music and one of the most prominent philanthropists connected to the state of Tennessee. No timeline has been set for a final decision on the renaming.
