Red State Announces Plans To Honor Dolly Parton With Airport Name Change

Tennessee is moving to give Dolly Parton one of the biggest honors yet after her death, with state leaders backing a plan to rename Nashville International Airport after the country music legend.

Gov. Bill Lee’s office announced Friday that it is working with Nashville International Airport on a proposal to rename BNA in Parton’s honor, creating a permanent tribute to one of Tennessee’s most famous and beloved daughters.

The push exploded after Parton’s death on Aug. 25, though the idea had actually been circulating long before then.

An online petition calling for the airport to be renamed for Parton was created in January 2025 and had surged past 150,000 signatures by Friday.

The proposal has also drawn support from celebrities, lawmakers and local officials as Tennessee looks for a lasting way to honor Parton’s music, philanthropy, faith and deep ties to the state.

Lee’s office said members of his team spoke with Parton’s team this week about the proposal.

Her representatives reportedly expressed appreciation for the “extraordinary outpouring of support” and were said to be “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.”

Parton’s team also reportedly believes she “still has a special way of bringing people together for good, and they hope this tribute can be another example of that enduring legacy.”

Lee said renaming the airport would be a fitting tribute to Parton’s life and the values she represented.

🚨 NOW: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is moving to RENAME Nashville International Airport for Dolly Parton — with 155K+ signing a petition supporting the move

This is a great idea!

“The city will take up the proposal next month.” 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/YWd2Voy4c0

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 28, 2026

“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Gov. Lee said. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her. 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 proposal would require additional steps before becoming official.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has an existing naming policy, and the governor’s proposal is expected to be discussed at the authority’s next board meeting on Sept. 17.

State lawmakers are also preparing legislation connected to Parton’s legacy.

One Tennessee lawmaker has pledged to file a bill formally renaming the airport, while another plans legislation designating Sept. 25 as “9 to 5 Day” in honor of Parton’s famous song.

Other lawmakers have also discussed additional measures to honor her once the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said the airport has a responsibility to represent the best of Nashville and Tennessee.

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“BNA is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. “Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life. She understood that dignity, kindness, and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status. At BNA, we share that commitment. Whether you are boarding a private aircraft or taking your first flight, you deserve to be welcomed, respected and served with the same level of care. That spirit is what defines BNA and it is a fitting reflection of the values Dolly shared with Tennessee and the world.”

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell also backed the idea and described the move as a “love letter to Dolly.”

“Dolly was in the process of working with us on a remarkable hotel and museum — SongTeller — that she called her love letter to Nashville. Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly — by renaming Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport in Nashville.

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“We’ve stayed in touch with Dolly’s team and family through this difficult process of mourning and are working closely with them on appropriate public recognition.”

Support has crossed party lines.

Metro Councilman Jordan Huffman said he “could think of no better name for our airport.”

State Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, said she would, “love to see this happen. It just has to happen the right way, and Dolly, of all people, deserves it done right.”

If approved, the name change would place Parton’s legacy front and center at one of Tennessee’s busiest gateways, greeting millions of travelers with the name of a woman who carried the state’s music and culture around the world for decades.

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