[chiph]

With the rise of national corporate-owned radio stations, you have fewer program directors you need to convince to play your songs. But you're also competing with lots of other bands who sound just like you, because of the record company's tendency to sign clones of already top-selling bands.

Internet playlists (today's mix-tapes?) and college-radio probably have the greatest chance of becoming famous. Live venues work for local markets (Austin in particular), but breaking out onto the national stage is tough.