Dolly Parton is one of those entertainers who is intriguing and fun to watch. Check out this video to relive Dolly Parton’s first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
At the start of the video, Johnny introduces Dolly to the stage. She is in an all-pink original jumpsuit. Dolly comes out singing, “Higher and Higher.” She sings with such zeal and expression.
The song appears to have such a gospel-centered message. God has lifted us up out of the pit of sin and seated us with Christ.
Dolly sits down with Johnny and laughs and is so excited to be on this show. She shares her excitement to be on the show that it is her birthday. Dolly says that country music is shared by ordinary people in extraordinary ways.
Dolly jokes that she was one of twelve children. She shares how wonderful growing up in the mountains was for learning the importance of life. Dolly is then asked about her husband, Carl Dean, and she shares about him and jokes that he is not her biggest fan.
Johnny then jokes that Carl can go outside for a moment because Dolly is going to sing again.
Her second song of choice is “Me and Little Andy.” She sings a sweet lullaby style with just Dolly and her guitar. It is an intimate song about an abandoned little girl who shows up on a doorstep with her dog Andy.
The wonderful thing about Dolly’s music and country is that it tells a story. She has shared two heartfelt and impactful stories on this show, and she knows how to have fun and laugh at herself. This is a classic video to get to know Dolly before she got big.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”