He signed a deal with the owners of Satellite Records, Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, to distribute Cause I Love You and thus paved the way for Thomas’ most famous single, "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)".
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In Memphis, the African American centered WDIA radio station sponsored a rotating musical group of high school students called the Teen Town Singers; notable alumni include Anita Louis and Isaac Hayes.
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Recorded when Thomas was still attending Hamilton High School in Memphis, the record drew enough local attention to catch the interest of Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records.
Rufus and Carla was the moniker Stax Records used when releasing duets by Rufus Thomas and daughter Carla Thomas.
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Carla Thomas was also part of a string of successful duets ("Tramp", "Knock On Wood", "Lovey Dovey", "New Year's Resolution") with the label's biggest star, Otis Redding.
Thomas Jefferson | Thomas Edison | Thomas | Thomas Hardy | Thomas Mann | Thomas Aquinas | Clarence Thomas | Thomas Gainsborough | Dylan Thomas | Thomas Pynchon | St. Thomas | Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | Thomas Carlyle | Thomas the Tank Engine | Thomas Moore | Thomas Cromwell | Thomas Becket | Thomas the Apostle | Thomas Merton | Thomas Tallis | Thomas Paine | Roy Thomas | Thomas Telford | Thomas More | Carla Bruni | Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford | Ryan Thomas | C. Thomas Howell | Thomas Kean | Thomas Gage |
In subsequent years, "A Lover's Concerto" has been recorded by numerous other artists, including Cilla Black, Kelly Chen, the Delfonics, the Fleetwoods, Audrey Hall, Maleewan Jemina (th), Doyle Lawson, the Lennon Sisters, Mrs. Elva Miller, the Peanuts, the Pearls, Perrey and Kingsley, the Supremes, Carla Thomas, Tight Fit, Leslie Uggams, and Sarah Vaughan.
The success of that single led to a 45-city tour with the Stax revue, which at the time featured headliners like Otis Redding (to whom Payne's voice has sometimes been compared), Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas, and Carla Thomas.
It has been recorded or performed live by over 100 artists, including Carla Thomas, Tom Clay, The Staple Singers, Judy Garland, The Supremes, Cilla Black, The Chambers Brothers, McCoy Tyner, Barry Manilow, Jad Fair with Daniel Johnston, Ed Ames, Johnny Mathis, Zwan, Steve Tyrell, Luther Vandross, Andrea Ross, Aimee Mann, Rigmor Gustafsson, Stacey Kent, Mr. Bungle, The Young Americans, Rick Astley and Coldplay.