Nashville Airport Renaming for Dolly Parton Moves Forward

On Friday, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority made a historic decision to begin the process of renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country star Dolly Parton. The authority's unanimous vote came after a fan-led petition collecting over 175,000 signatures and the support of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and the Metro City Council.

While the final name has not been determined, the authority will work with appropriate parties to incorporate Parton's legacy into the airport's new name. Tennessee's first international commercial airport would become the first in the nation to bear the name of a woman. Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25th at age 80 following a battle with cancer, recently released her first posthumous single, "Bound to Ride," featuring a lineup of bluegrass legends.

The renaming effort gained momentum following Parton's death and aims to pay tribute to the state's beloved daughter.