He is one of the earliest participants in the National Poetry Slam, former board member oforganization's summer writing and performance conference.

Salinger was a member or coach of the team representing Cleveland, Ohio at the National Poetry Slam a dozen times - making two finals stage appearances.

Salinger is the founding instructor of the Slam U program of the Playhouse Square Foundation in Cleveland Ohio, the second largest performing arts institution after Broadway.

Here students learn writing and performance skills and have the opportunity to represent the city at Brave New Voices, the youth national poetry slam.

Salinger began performing his poetry in the mid 1980s in and around Cleveland Ohio at venues such as the Pearl Road Auto Wrecking Junkstock festivals, created by Daniel Thompson, and Macs Backs paperbacks in the eclectic Coventry neighborhood.