Best Bipartisan Effort in Nashville 2026: Renaming BNA in Honor of Dolly Parton
Despite Metro Nashville and the state of Tennessee being at odds more often than they agree politically, there’s one thing that neither side questions: Naming Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton is a good idea. The country music icon — who died in August — is recognized in Tennessee not only for her musical prowess, celebrity and philanthropic efforts, but also simply for being Dolly. You can’t think of Dolly and not think of Tennessee. It just makes sense to put her name on the largest welcome mat we have, and our city and state leaders both know it, no matter what else divides them. As this issue goes to press, the process is still in motion, and it remains to be seen how exactly she will be featured. But it likely will be done, and with her estate’s blessing, so we know it will be done in the Dolly way.
