According to the Mississippi Blues Commission, "Rufus Thomas embodied the spirit of Memphis music perhaps more than any other artist, and from the early 1940s until his death . . . occupied many important roles in the local scene."
Menurut Mississippi Blues Commission, "Rufus Thomas membadani jiwa musik Memphis melebihi artis manapun lainnya, dan dari awal 1940an sampai kematiannya . . . menduduki beberapa peran penting dalam ranah lokal."