Scott Barger's debut history book, “We Want a Band!” is an insightful glimpse into Oklahoma’s musical history, musicians, and town bands from around 1880 to 1940.

Scott never envisioned writing a book until he attended a New Horizons community band concert in 2023, where his brother, Cliff, was playing. Barger came away wondering whether community bands were really very good or more like Mayberry’s band from The Andy Griffith Show. After a bit of research, it became evident there was a fabulous archive of information, but no books about community/town bands in Oklahoma. The story of these musicians was fading with time. Scott became the wholehearted storyteller of this great history. He has a background in music, playing trombone, bass guitar, and, at one time, bagpipes. He won the John Philip Sousa Award in high school, has performed live, and recorded with several bands.

When not digging through history, he enjoys reading, painting, golf, spending time with family, and keeping his mind sharp by playing Warhammer 40K locally and in tournaments. Barger holds a degree in Theology and is a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman.

His father, David Barger, a great musician and band director, helped formulate his love of music, even taking bagpipe lessons together. David encouraged Scott to write this book, but died early in 2025 before its completion. This work is dedicated to him.