01
A chance meeting in Sparta
Joe Kalis sets up as a dealer at a local card show in Sparta, Tennessee, where he meets Nathan Heady.
UPPER CUMBERLANDCARDS
OUR STORY
ONE TABLE.
THREE CITIES.
What began with a chance meeting between two dealers became a growing Tennessee card-show community.
BUILT FOR THE HOBBY
The full story
is still being written.
Upper Cumberland Cards grew one conversation, one trade night, and one packed gym at a time. Today, UCC brings collectors, families, and dealers together every month in Cookeville, McMinnville, and Knoxville.
This page will soon include the complete story from Joe Kalis. Until then, here are the moments that shaped UCC into what it is today.
2023—PRESENT
How we
got here.
02
The first trade night
Joe and Nathan decide to host a card show of their own, beginning with a trade night at Nathan’s church.
03
Upper Cumberland Cards begins
The first-ever Upper Cumberland Cards show is held at Friendship Church in Cookeville.
04
A bigger Cookeville home
UCC outgrows the church and moves its Cookeville show to Avery Trace Middle School.
05
McMinnville makes its pitch
Anthony Lippe, Assistant Principal of Warren County High School, is introduced to Joe and makes the case for bringing a UCC show to McMinnville.
06
A Knoxville connection
At the same Cookeville show, Caleb Johnson volunteers to help run the autograph line for Albert Haynesworth. He soon begins seeking Joe’s advice about starting a show in Knoxville.
07
McMinnville becomes real
After initially saying no a few times, Joe and Anthony iron out the details for a new McMinnville card show.
08
McMinnville opens
The first McMinnville card show is hosted at Warren County High School.
09
The first UCC partnership
After several months of Joe teaching Caleb the ropes, they agree to partner on the first UCC “franchise,” with Caleb running Knoxville under the established Upper Cumberland Cards banner.
10
Knoxville opens
The first Knoxville card show is hosted at Knoxville Christian School.
11
Dealer badges arrive
UCC introduces dealer badges to increase professionalism, security, and show quality across all three locations.
12
Trade nights expand
Friday night pre-show trade nights launch in Knoxville and McMinnville.
13
The next chapter
A State of the Union address announces shifts to dates, show times, and table rates—and teases another possible show location.
