Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced plans Friday to pursue renaming BNA in honor of Dolly Parton, creating a permanent tribute to the Tennessee icon and her global legacy. Click for More News
Lee said he spoke with Parton’s team this week about the proposal. Her team expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support following her death and said they are open to continuing conversations about the airport tribute.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a release. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her.”
Lee said Nashville International Airport is a fitting place to honor Parton because it serves as one of Tennessee’s primary gateways to the world.
“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,” he said.
Born in Sevier County, Parton rose from humble beginnings in East Tennessee to become one of the most recognizable and influential entertainers in the world. Her legacy extended far beyond music through decades of philanthropy, including the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of free books to children.
Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said Parton’s values closely reflect the mission of BNA.
“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,” Kreulen said.
He said Parton’s legacy of kindness, dignity and opportunity makes her a fitting namesake for an airport that welcomes travelers from around the world.
The proposal is not yet final. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s current naming policy and Lee’s proposal to rename the airport are expected to be discussed at the authority’s September 17 meeting.
Additional details are expected in the coming weeks.
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