Dolly Parton could receive one of Nashville’s biggest possible hometown tributes, with fans pushing to rename Nashville International Airport after the country music icon.
A petition calling for the airport to become “Dolly Parton International Airport” has surpassed 100,000 signatures, gaining more than 50,000 supporters in the day following Parton’s death Tuesday at 80.
The petition was actually launched in January 2025, long before her death, and had been sitting at roughly 53,000 signatures. News of Parton’s passing dramatically accelerated the campaign.
Now, the proposal has picked up support from some recognizable names — and potentially a path toward becoming more than just an online petition.
Sheryl Crow voiced her support during an Instagram Live conversation with Katie Couric, calling the idea an obvious tribute to the legendary singer.
Tennessee State Representative Todd Warner has also said he plans to introduce legislation seeking the airport’s renaming.
That would make the proposal a matter for state lawmakers rather than simply a fan-driven campaign.
The suggested name would carry plenty of symbolism. Parton was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, but Nashville became central to her career and public identity as she rose from a young country performer to one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers.
Her connection to the city makes the airport proposal especially fitting for supporters who want a permanent reminder of her impact.
The campaign comes as Tennessee and the entertainment world continue to process Parton’s death. Her representatives said she died Tuesday morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where she had been admitted several days earlier.
Her death followed a serious decline in her health, and her representatives later revealed that she had been battling cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones when she died.
For now, the airport still carries its current name, and the proposed change would require the necessary legislative and official approvals.
But with the petition now past 100,000 signatures and a Tennessee lawmaker preparing to pursue the idea, the push to put Dolly Parton’s name on Nashville’s front door is gaining serious momentum.
