The movement to rename the Nashville airport after country legend Dolly Parton is starting to really take off.
Several country artists in the Nashville community are now campaigning for the name change.
More than 53-thousand Dolly-loving fans have now signed a change.org petition lobbying to rename Music City’s airport “Dolly Parton International.”
But a few of them have gone beyond adding their signatures to the petition.
Country singer Kaitlin Butts appears in a video on Change.org’s TikTok channel urging people to sign the petition, saying “I want to be ‘departin’ from Parton'” and then belting out part of the chorus to Dolly’s hit “Here You Come Again.”
Kentucky Gentlemen Say Dolly Parton ‘Makes the World Go Round’
Also making a bid for the name change is country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen.
In a video posted on change.org’s Instagram account, brothers Derek and Brandon Campbell say, “We know that y’all know that Dolly Parton makes the world go round. That’s why there are countless songs dedicated to her, including our song ‘Beg Your Parton.’ And that’s why we believe that BNA should be changed to The Dolly Parton International Airport. If you wanna be ‘departin’ from Parton,’ just go to change.org and find the Dolly Parton Name Change petition.”
The pair then sing, “You can make your own scene, just don’t be a Jolene. If anybody’s got a problem, I beg your Parton..”
How the Move to Rename Nashville’s Airport Started
The movement was started by two Nashville-based creatives, according to the “Tennessean.” Comedian Lydia Popovich and Goat Song Records comedy label owner Dan Dion launched the petition in January in response to legislation that would’ve sent the airport’s name in a different direction.
Tennessee Republican Rep. Toddy Warner introduced legislation focused on renaming Nashville International Airport (BNA) after President Donald Trump. That bill currently before the Tennessee Senate’s General Subcommittee of Senate Transportation and Safety would rechristen the airport “Trump International Airport.” The bill has already failed in the Tennessee state House of Representatives.
But the Dolly movement is still going strong! In fact, according to the “Tennessean,” the petition has seen a 500% spike in signatures since March.
What Would Dolly Do? Singer Thinks Name Change Sounds Fun
While Dolly herself told the “Tennessean” that the petition was “probably more of a joke than anything,” change.org quotes her as saying, “I mean, it does sound like a lot of fun to say, ‘Your flight’s departin’ from Nashville’s D. Parton.”
But the ever-humble Parton, who famously tried to withdraw her name from consideration as an inductee into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame before accepting the honor, has sidelined other efforts to pay homage to her.
In 2021, Tennessee state lawmakers introduced legislation to put a statue of Dolly Parton at the Tennessee State Capitol. But while Parton thanked the legislature for considering the bill, she asked lawmakers to remove it “from any and all consideration.” The singer said she didn’t think it was appropriate at that time.
Parton told lawmakers, “I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I’m gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I’m certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”
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Country Artists Throw Support to ‘Dolly Parton International’