One thing they agree on

Tennessee's Republican state government and Nashville's Democratic city government are fighting over who controls the airport. Both want it renamed for Dolly Parton.

A first for a woman

No woman's name currently appears on any of America's 50 busiest airports. Renaming Nashville International for Parton would change that.

She kept saying no

Parton turned down honors throughout her life, including a 2021 bill to put her statue on the Capitol grounds. She asked lawmakers to withdraw it.

“somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone if you still feel I deserve it”

175,000 signatures

Superfan Lydia Popovich started a renaming petition in 2025. After Parton died last month at 80, it caught fire and passed 175,000 names.

The board voted yes

On Friday the state-controlled airport authority unanimously told its CEO to start the renaming. It could take a year, and involves negotiating merchandise profits with Parton's estate.

Two boards, two votes

A 2023 partisan split left Nashville with two rival airport authorities and years of court fights. Both now back the change, so the FAA gets two yes votes.

“The FAA's going to get two votes from two boards, both in favor”

The best of Tennessee

Born poor in the Smoky Mountains foothills, Parton crossed every political and generational line. Popovich was in tears after the vote.

“She's the best of Tennessee. She's the best of the humans on the planet.”