DeepDives With Patrick Hemming

DeepDives: Ace Frehley Tribute Show

Two weeks ago I lost one of my greatest friends. On that same day I also lost one of my greatest musical heroes. This is an episode I never wanted to have to make. Certainly not under these circumstances. My friend James and I saw KISS back in '92 on the Revenge tour. Long after Ace had left the band and four years before he rejoined, only to leave once again in 2001. It was a terrific show but the memories I hold dearest about that night are not about the killer stage. They are not about the kick ass setlist. They are not about meeting the band before the gig. They are about a night of camaraderie with one of the greatest friends I have ever been blessed with. To say putting this show together was cathartic is an understatement. Time has a sinister way of shading what's really important in life. Jobs, commitments and general bullshit kept getting in the way of connecting like we used to. I wish I knew then what I know now. But, that's not how life works. The way it works is that you hopefully learn from your mistakes and regrets and move forward a wiser person. All of this is to say I miss my friend and while I may not have the time back that I lost I'll cherish the time with the friends that are still here all the more. Old and new.
After Elvis Golden Records, KISS Alive was the second album I ever bought with my own money. The year was 1978, the summer between third and fourth grade. By the time 1979's Dynasty rolled around I had already bough most of the band's back catalog and I continued to buy each new album the week or day they were released. When the band splintered and new members replaced old members I bought each and every solo album from the former members. I say this with complete objectivity...no member of the band, original four or otherwise, released a grater collection of solo material than Ace Frehley. Not every album was a winner, I'm looking at you Second Sighting, but each one had at least a handful of outstanding songs on offer. For this episode I've curated my faveorite Ace Frehley songs across his 51 year career. I've chosen songs from the very first KISS album, 1974's self titled debut through to the final project in Aces's lifetime, 2004's 10,000 Volts. These songs have brought me joy and they will continue to do so for the rest of my days. 
Here's to James and Ace! Both one of a kind! Both dearly missed. 🤘

DeepDives: A Little Traveling Music

After a month long break DeepDives is back with a show built around the theme of "Traveling". As I'm broadcasting from the beautiful city of Prague here in the Czech Republic, I thought that particular theme would be most appropriate. All the regular Dive genres are represented spanning the late 60's through today. So sit back and enjoy some traveling music, Dives style. I'll be back here next week with a tribute show dedicated to the late great Ace Frehley. 🤘

DeepDives: Disco Dance Party, Round II

Once again, I bring to your ears a collection of Disco songs you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. It's been two years since my last Disco Dance Party, and I knew it was time to drop down that old glitter ball! As in round one, there are certainly some ringers, but even then, they are mostly special 12" mixes. covers and album tracks. I've also salt and peppered both sets with more contemporary songs inspired by those bell-bottom years. I hope you enjoy this show as much as I enjoyed making it! I'll see you next Dive for a little traveling music. 🤘

DeepDives: September 8th, 2025 - 1983-1993

I'm back, my friends, with another round of DeepDives for your ears to enjoy. This week we're back in the 80s. 1983 through 1993, to be exact. AOR, Melodic Rock, Hi-Tech, Rock & Hard Rock are on today's menu. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it for you. I'll see you in a couple weeks' time, my friends. Until then, keep on keeping on! 🤘

DeepDives, 80's Melodic Rock, 1983-1993

I'm back, my friends, with a sonic buffet for your ears to devour. This episode of Dives is jam-packed with Melodic Rock goodness. There are some Rock and Pop. A taste of Heartland. A heaping helping of AOR and we bit of Westcoast. I hope you enjoy, and I'll see you back here for the next new episode in a couple of weeks. 🤘

DeepDives: 80's Melodic Rock Extravaganza

After a couple of weeks' break, I'm back with a brand-new episode for your ears to enjoy. We're in the 80s, 1983 through 1992 to be exact. I've included just about every genre of Melodic Rock for this show. AOR, Hard Rock, Pop, Hi-Tech, and WestCoast are all represented. I had a ton of fun curating this one, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it. I'll see you in two weeks for the next DeepDives, my friends. 🤘

DeepDives: AOR & Melodic Rock - Round II (2000-2024)

I'm back with a brand new episode of DeepDives for your ears to enjoy. Before the show starts properly, I pay tribute to The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away today at 76. He's shown up on more than a few occasions here on Dives & he will be missed. Afterwards, it's on to the show I had planned for you...filled with AOR, Melodic Rock, Westcoast, Synthwave & Pop. I hope you enjoy & I'll be back in a couple of weeks with an 80's show. Have a wonderful rest of July, my friends & I'll return the week of August 11th. 🤘

DeepDives: AOR & Melodic Rock, 2000-2022

After a week off, I'm back with a new episode of Dives spanning 2000 through 2022. I've jam-packed this episode with AOR, Melodic Rock, WestCoast, and Synthwave for your ears to enjoy. Sit back and let me take you on an excursion through some of my favorite songs released across the last 25 years. 

DeepDives: AOR & Melodic Rock, 1983-1992

After a couple of episodes in some different waters I've sailed us back to a much more familiar diving hole, 1980's Melodic Rock and AOR. 1983 through 1992 to be specific. This episode is filled with songs I've not played in years along with several you haven't heard at all on a Dive. Sit back, enjoy a cold one and enjoy some of the best music on God's good earth. I'll see you next week, my friends. 🤘

The DeepDives Tribute to Brian Wilson

Last week we lost one of my musical heroes, Brian Wilson. Ever since I put to bed last week's Live Dive, I've been listening to Brian's music pretty much nonstop. I thought I'd wait to put out a tribute show celebrating Brian's music, but my ears and heart just wouldn't let me. So, it's with a heavy heart equally full of sadness for the loss and gratitude for the music he left behind that I curated this episode. I decided to focus on the music he put out in the 80's all the way through to 2021. Just about everyone knows the hits. Not everyone knows these deep dives into his oeuvre. Thank you for indulging me this week and I'll be back next week for a regular episode for your ears to enjoy. In the meantime, I hope you take a listen and in turn enjoy the next three plus hours of a musical genius hard at work. He will be missed.