A native of Florence, South Carolina, Joe Sallenger spent much of his childhood on the farm that would later become Francis Marion University. After "going north" to school (Wake Forest University) and a spot of travel through Europe and the United States, Joe returned to the Pee Dee region with the realization that "folks are pretty much folks everywhere you go, some just talk funnier than others."

When the Hyman Fine Arts Center was constructed at Francis Marion (College), Fine Arts Chairman Jack Baker convinced Joe to take up residence in the "fish tank" off the breezeway, where he remains to this day. He tries to keep track of the Art, Music and Theatre faculty, manage various auditoriums, dabble in a bit of Art and Flute Collecting, and help out at the Anglican Church of Our Saviour. He also assists his wife Donna in her mission to care for Homeless Animals, dreams about the Bands he has played in, and keeps his British (Morris Minor) truck and log cabin from falling apart around him.

Joe has published a book titled "Mars Bluff As I Remember It" by combining writings from his grandmother (Amelia Mellichamp Wallace, 1900-1994) with maps, artwork, photographs and commentary distilled from family archives.