Dolly appeared several times on The Johnny Carson Show, becoming a firm favourite, charming the socks off the host with her various stories and anecdotes, which have now become her hallmark. It was the highest rated talk show of the era and was instrumental in giving Dolly’s career the much needed boost she needed to reach a wider audience. Her early appearances have become legendary and on one occasion she told Johnny (in reference to her large bust), "People are always asking if they're real and ... I'll tell you what, these are mine." Carson replied, "I have certain guidelines on this show. But I would give about a year's pay to peek under there."

It’s interesting to note that while some of her early appearances have survived and are well known amongst fans, it’s the ones which feature some of her seldom performed songs, like Sweet Summer Lovin’, House of the Rising Sun and Heartbreak Express that are much harder to come by.

Shows which Dolly appeared and songs performed

19^th Jan 1977 - Higher and Higher, Me & Little Andy

17^th Feb 1977 - Light of A Clear Blue Morning, Traveling Man

14^th Dec 1977 – Here You Come Again, Two Doors Down, Do I Ever Cross Your Mind

13^th Sep 1978 - Baby I’m Burning, Heartbreaker, Applejack

19^th Sep 1978 - Star of the Show, Sweet Summer Lovin’

18^th Nov 1980 – 9 to 5, House of the Rising Sun

24^th Jun 1982 – Heartbreak Express, I Will Always Love You

15^th Jun 1984 – Tennessee Homesick Blues, Drinkenstein

30^th May 1986 – My Tennessee Mountain Home

10^th Dec 1986 – A Smoky Mountain Christmas

13^th Mar 1987 – Those Memories of You, To Know Him is To Love Him, Hobo’s Meditation (with Linda Rondstat and Emmylou Harris)

22^nd Nov 1989 – He’s Alive

14^th Dec 1990 – Joy to the World, Go Tell It On The Mountain

8^th May 1991 – Interview only

8^th April 1992 – Light of a Clear Blue Morning