Let Her Fly: Petition to Rename Nashville Airport After Dolly Parton Gains Momentum
A campaign to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton has surged following the country music icon’s death, with more than 100,000 people signing the petition in a matter of hours.
The Change.org campaign, titled “Rename Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport,” crossed the 100,000-signature mark Wednesday. More than 50,000 signatures were added in the 24 hours after Parton died at age 80 on Tuesday following a brief battle with cancer.
The petition was originally launched in January 2025, but had attracted relatively little attention compared with the wave of support that followed Parton’s death.
“On August 25, the world lost an angel,” a new update to the petition said. “It’s difficult to imagine a world without our Dreamer-In-Chief. How are we going to be okay without her magic to keep us safe? How can we shine without her light?”
The update continued: “Since her passing, tens of thousands of additional supporters have visited and signed this petition. The outpouring of support has reinvigorated our mission.”
A Tennessee tribute
Parton was born east of Knoxville and went on to become one of the biggest stars in country music after building her career in Nashville. She also lived in the city for much of her life, giving the airport campaign a strong connection to her Tennessee roots.
When the petition was created in January 2025, it had a straightforward goal: rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the singer and songwriter.
For much of the following year and a half, however, the campaign moved slowly. It had collected roughly 53,000 signatures before Parton’s death, adding only a few thousand more over that period.
That changed dramatically after her family announced her death. The petition began attracting new signatures at a rapid pace, with dozens reportedly being added every second as news of the country legend’s passing spread.
Sheryl Crow backs the idea
The campaign also quickly received support from prominent figures, including fellow country star Sheryl Crow.
Crow endorsed the proposal while discussing Parton during an appearance Tuesday on Katie Couric’s Instagram livestream.
“People are talking about trying to get the Nashville airport … changed to the Dolly Parton International Airport,” Crow said. “I’m like, ‘Yes! I think we should.’”
Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner also expressed support and said he would seek to turn the idea into legislation.
“I will definitely introduce legislation to rename the BNA airport Dolly Parton International Airport!” Warner wrote in response to the petition.
Warner is no stranger to efforts to change the airport’s name. In January 2025, he introduced legislation seeking to rename it “Trump International Airport.” The proposal failed by a 5-12 vote.
After that measure was rejected, Warner also backed the Parton petition. At the time, he acknowledged that his Trump proposal had “went down in flames” and said he had received “numerous” emails from people asking for the airport to be dedicated to Parton. He said he would support the change if the opportunity arose.
With the latest surge in public support, that opportunity may now be closer than before.
Fans make their case
As the petition passed 100,000 signatures, supporters filled its page with messages explaining why they believe Parton deserves the honor.
“Dolly Parton represents the heart of Tennessee and the heart of its music,” one signer wrote. “Naming Nashville International Airport in her honor would welcome visitors from around the world with a name that immediately says welcome! Know we love ya!”
Another supporter highlighted Parton’s influence both as a performer and as a role model.
“One of the sweetest and dearest singers, and not only that, a role model to so many. Undeniably an icon and after all that she has given us, the least we can do is name something in her honor,” the person wrote.
The signer added that Parton’s music had taken listeners on countless journeys and that honoring her through the airport would carry that spirit forward: “Just as she took us on adventures with her songs and supported everyone’s journeys, this Dolly airline will do the same.”
For now, the campaign remains a petition, but its sudden growth has put the proposed name change firmly back in the spotlight as Tennessee mourns one of its most recognizable musical figures.