Three days after Dolly Parton’s death, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a proposal for Nashville International Airport to bear the name of the singer and songwriter. The initiative still needs to be reviewed by the airport authority, which is scheduled to address the issue on September 17.
The tribute has special significance because Nashville was central to Parton’s story. Born in eastern Tennessee, she arrived in the city in 1964, shortly after finishing high school, to try to make her way in music. At just 13, she had already performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
In Nashville, she built much of her career and wrote songs that would go on to become classics, including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”. She also built a significant philanthropic career, especially through her Imagination Library program, which provides books to children.
If the change is ultimately approved, the airport will become a permanent tribute to an artist deeply connected to Tennessee.
Dolly came to Nashville looking for an opportunity; decades later, her name could become the one that welcomes those arriving in the city.