A board of commissioners voted on Friday to rename the Nashville airport in honour of Dolly Parton, the Smoky Mountains-born singer who reportedly contributes $1.8 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy through her Dollywood amusement park.
Although the renaming process will take time, the decision will ensure that Parton, who died last month at the age of 80, has an airport named after her.
Parton did not expect the idea, which emerged last year, to become a reality during her lifetime.
“I think that’s probably more of a joke than anything,” Parton told the Tennessean. “I mean, it does sound like a lot of fun to say: ‘Your flight is departin’ from Nashville’s D Parton.’”
The proposal gained momentum last month after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell endorsed the name change.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement, recognizing what he called her “Volunteer spirit”.
“It is fitting that Nashville international airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith and kindness,” Lee added.
“Dolly has always helped the world fall in love with Tennessee,” Lee said, describing the change as “an important step” toward honouring her remarkable legacy after airport commissioners voted in favour of it.
Backstory…
Recall that Popular American country music icon, Dolly Parton, recently passed at the age of 80. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, reportedly announced her passing in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Parton’s career spanned over six decades, rising from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in country music history.
Tributes have continued to pour in since her passing became public. In honour of the late icon, the president ordered American flags across the country to be lowered for one week.
Read Also: Popular American Country Music Icon, Dolly Parton Dies @80
