[jdaug]

Fortunately, thanks to the internet and technology that makes decent recordings possible for the unsigned artist on a budget, the only road to commercial success is not sucking a record producers cock in a west Hollywood parking lot or performing in bars and high school auditoriums for 10 years before getting discovered.

Im not a successful musician (its still a hobby for me), but I would bet there are artists out there who have achieved commercial success just by having their music on the internet, at the right place and the right time, and were discovered by accident, without first having had to shell out money out of pocket for pro studio time or marketing, paying or sucking for face time with AR people, or even playing a single live show. All of those things certainly help your chances, but I think success is now more possible without those. Insert your definition of success here. My definition is being able to make stable, long term income which supports your chosen lifestyle by doing what you enjoy.