He is best known as the guitarist with Booker T. & the M.G. 's who made instrumental music for singers such as Otis Redding , Sam & Dave , Carla Thomas , Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor . He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band Booker T. & the M.G. 's , and has backed artists such as Otis Redding , Sam & Dave , Carla , Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor , also acting as producer on many of these records .