Fans Campaign to Rename Nashville Airport for Dolly Parton

The campaign, launched in January 2025 by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion, argues that Parton’s contributions to music, philanthropy, and the global distribution of books through her Imagination Library merit a landmark as significant as the city’s primary gateway. Organizers have framed the tribute with the slogan, “We could all be Departin’ from Parton!”

State and local officials have begun to align with the public sentiment. State Senator Todd Warner has pledged to introduce legislation to support the renaming, while Nashville City Councilor Russ Bradford noted that few figures have done as much to define the city for the world. Though the final decision rests with the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary confirmed that lawmakers are actively discussing how to properly honor a figure whose influence, they believe, transcends traditional statues or busts.

Beyond the airport initiative, tributes have emerged nationwide. On the evening of August 25, New York’s Empire State Building illuminated its tower in pink—a nod to Parton’s signature aesthetic and her hit song “9 to 5”—to serve as a temporary memorial. These efforts follow a difficult period for the singer, who had been managing kidney and autoimmune issues alongside a private battle with cancer. Despite these challenges, Parton remained deeply committed to her ongoing projects, including a planned Broadway show and the development of her SongTeller Hotel, ensuring that her cultural footprint remains a central part of the city's future.