Petition to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton tops 100,000 signatures
A Change.org petition to rename Nashville International Airport for Dolly Parton has exceeded 100,000 signatures within a day of her death.
After Dolly Parton died at 80, a Change.org petition seeking to rename Nashville International Airport in her honor quickly amassed over 100,000 signatures, with more than 50,000 added in the day following her death. The campaign, started in January 2025, had lingered around 53,000 signatures before the surge. Fans and public figures rallied, including Sheryl Crow, who endorsed the idea on a livestream, and state Representative Todd Warner, who said he would sponsor a bill to rename the airport.
Warner previously attempted to rename the airport after a different figure in early 2025, a proposal that failed. Supporters argue that naming the airport after Parton would reflect Tennessee's musical heritage and welcome visitors worldwide.
Why it matters
Renaming a major airport could shape Nashville's cultural branding and reflect public sentiment after a beloved icon's death.
How this story developed
- Aug 25 Country Icon Dolly Parton Passes Away at Age 80
- Aug 25 Country music legend Dolly Parton died at age 80 following a series of long-term medical problems that included endometriosis, depression, back pain and recent kidney and autoimmune issues.
- Aug 26 A wave of public tributes from musicians and entertainers has been shared since the announcement.
- Aug 26 Family members publicly announced her death following a brief illness.
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