The first record The Skydiggers' Andy Maize bought was Paul Simon's Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard.

He bought it at Sam the Record Man, the iconic record store that recently closed up shop.

Like a generation of kids in Toronto, Maize spent many Saturdays in the storied store, dreaming about becoming a rock star. So the closure was especially bittersweet for the Skydiggers main singer and songwriter who created MapleMusic.com, one of Canada's most successful online music retailers.

MapleMusic's success peddling Cancon such as Tegan and Sara, Loreena McKennitt, Cowboy Junkies and Holly McNarland on the Web was just one of many nails in Sams' coffin.

"It's the end of an era," Maize said sadly. "I love good record stores, but music has also moved into big-box stores ... The music industry alienated their bricks-and-mortar partners like Sams when they went for the volume sales.

"It's a shame. However, there is new technology that allows local businesses with a passion to market around the world. That's why MapleMusic.com is successful."

Maize divides his time between the band, and consulting for MapleMusic.com, where he mentors new talent about the business side of things.

Today, Maize and his bandmates Josh Finlayson, Noel Webb and Michael Johnson headline the Nortel Ottawa Dragon Race Boat Festival at the Royal Oak Main stage at Mooney's Bay at 3 p.m.

The largest race of its kind in North America has beachfront activities planned all weekend, including Jeff Healey & The Jazz Wizards tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

Maize first partnered with Finlayson to create the roots rock band in 1987, later adding Peter Cash and Wayne Stokes before recording their first album in 1989. In 1993, Just Over This Mountain won them a Juno Award for most promising group.

It all comes down to a bit of advice Maize gives all young musicians, about having a passion for what you do.

"You have to love music as if you can't help yourself. A real musician knows that there isn't anything else he'd rather do."