Lifting A Falling Star: Dogs In A Pile Honor Ben Schwartzman With ‘Big Man’ Cover In Indianapolis

Dogs In A Pile fostered a special moment during their show this week at Hi-Fi in Indianapolis by honoring Ben Schwartzman by covering his song “Big Man.” Schwartzman, who was raised in Indiana, died by suicide in 2007 at age 19.

Following Schwartzman’s tragic death, his father, Ed Schwartzman (pictured above with the band), made it his mission to honor his son’s legacy by sharing his story and the music the young singer-songwriter left behind.

Ben Schwartzman’s original music was posthumously released by his father through the album Falling Star: The Songs of Ben Schwartzman. Proceeds from its sales go to the Centerstone nonprofit organization, providing mental health support and substance use disorder treatments.

Consisting of Schwartzman’s 11 original songs (and one written by Ben’s sister Hayley Schwartzman), the Falling Star: The Songs of Ben Schwartzman tracklist includes “Big Man.” Dogs In A Pile covered “Big Man” for the first time during their set Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Posting from his Bloomington, Indiana-based business’ social media account, Ed Schwartzman let Dogs In A Pile know he was “eternally grateful” for their “Big Man” tribute to his son.

After covering “Big Man,” DIAP guitarist Brian Murray (whose birthday was celebrated during the show) spoke to the Indy crowd, stating:

“The last song we just played is called ‘Big Man.’ It was written by a songwriter named Ben Schwartzman. Ben sadly passed a few years ago … He left behind with him a dozen songs.

“‘Big Man’ is beautiful as you just heard and it’s has a great message. Ben’s story can be found online as well as the rest of his music. It’s great today to have this reminder that the lives and spirit of loved ones live on in our hearts and through the airwaves forever thanks to the power of music.

“On behalf of the band I want to thank Ben’s father Ed for introducing us to Ben’s songs and legacy, and thank you all that are here and listening at home for sharing in this moment with us.

“One more quick thing. There’s a great charitable organization in Nashville called Centerstone that does a great deal in providing care and raising awareness for mental health. All money generated from the streaming and sales of Ben’s music go directly to this organization as well as others, so please, go and listen to it and help us help Ben bring his music out to the world. Thank you!”

After the show, Dogs In A Pile collectively shared the below message:

We brought Ben Schwartzman’s music to life last night in the company of his loved ones in Indy. The power of music… it’s a really really good reminder of why we are out here …

A prolific songwriter, Ben’s life was cut short almost ten years ago and it’s been his dad’s dream to hear the songs that he’s left behind in a live setting. When we found out about this little mission, we got to learning right away and have kept our efforts under wraps for about three months without a single peep!

We are absolutely blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to channel the music Ben left behind for a live audience, and to harbor the legacy that Ben left through his songs, his familial relationships (which we could feel in the room), and the impressions he left on everyone through his musical ability and personality. From what we heard from his dad, Ben would have been the perfect fit for our community and a valid contributor to what we have going on musically.

Amidst the consecutive weeks of backbreaking labor on very little sleep, these are the moments that push us through. Thank you so much to Ed Schwartzman for presenting this idea to us and for feeding us from both of his incredible restaurants and making us feel at home all day!

We’ll be carrying Ben’s spirit wherever we go on the road.

Tuesday’s Tax Day show in Indy also saw Dogs In A Pile debut a cover of The Beatles’ “Taxman.” Watch official video and stream soundboard audio of Dogs In A Pile’s tribute to Ben Schwartzman, The Beatles cover debut and the entire concert at the Hi-Fi below: