Reply #4: be really, really good

[MrsBrady]

and let him find out on his own what he wants to play.

I play three instruments, but my strength is in my songwriting and singing.

there is no magic.
i had no fall back, but am developing one now. it's not been the easiest route, but I wouldn't change a thing.
At one point in my life I qualified for an income tax credit as a single person, which means I really made no money.
I sometimes had to choose between food and guitar strings.
I have not had the breaks that some of my friends have had, but that doesn't mean I quit playing...
I just have had to find a job where I feel like can live with myself at the end of the day and feel like I am helping others.
My first love is performing. I still find opportunities to do that, but have never been able to break out of the "local" scene.
I have friends that tour Europe and are national acts now...I don't quit trying though.
By the way, these people aren't wildly famous and rich. They tour all the time, are not household names, but do well as indies.

Focus on just being really, really, really, really good.
It's an expensive hobby, and even a more expensive career. I've never even broke even.

I say go for it. But you have to be willing to live with the consequences -- good and bad.

But let him alone with it. If he doesn't practice or want to get gigs on his own -- he probably doesn't really want it.

There's lots of good and bad books, websites, etc on the subject. Just going to have to slog through it like the rest of us....

unless you have a bunch of money, can hire a music lawyer to get you in touch with the right people from the start, and spend a bunch of money on PR.
(not being sarcastic)