He needs to look for a good group of contemporaries, form a band, or join a band, and go for it. But, the key to success is to write his or their own songs. And writing great ones isn’t easy to do. It’s also hard to make money on music in the digital age.
Hopefully, if he is that good he can be discovered by a record exec. This is is almost 100% being at the right place at the right time and being heard by the right person.
It can be done. And it can be very disappointing.
You're absolutely right, and that applies to almost any profession, not just music. I'm thinking of Jimmy Webb. A couple of his most successful songs he thought were either stinkers or unfinished.
A person needs talent and luck. It helps to be where the action is. But there will be thousands already there also looking for their break. These days a person might be able to find success on Youtube.
To your comments I would add. Get a band going. Play as many venues as he can. Get a following of fans. Record execs expect some dues paying experience and a fan base. Or cut your own CDs. Have a website for song download of course. Write the songs. Royalties for songs is where the long term money is. Go to school get a degree or have a career to fall back on. In the meantime, play, have some fun, you are only young once.