I am in a big quandry here people, and I hope you give me a chance and not call me a jerk right out of the gate.
 
I have been playing with a drummer since 2009, and we have done some really great things in my band together. The problem is, he has become increasingly distracted over the past year (checking phone between songs at rehearsal for instance), and has never really gotten involved with band business - even given assignments over the years, which always fall by the wayside.
 
From a performance standpoint, I would give him a B-. He used to rehearse at home with a metronome, but over the past 5 years, I have really not seen him improve or evolve with the rest of us. I also took a vacation 2 weeks ago and was listening to a couple previous albums of ours, and just lamented some of the slightly off time performances on the albums. He has never been 100% solid.
 
This is what happened to me last weekend.
 
I met somebody else. LOL. I own a recording studio, and this young band came in with this drummer that was simply incredible. Think TAYLOR HAWKINS / DAVE GROHL here. Yes, he really was that good. At the end of their session, he wanted to record some drum tracks, and brought in some MP3's to play along with. In a couple cases, I had to set up a metronome for him. This guy NAILED each take, almost perfectly, hardly EVER deviating from the click. He was doing incredible 16'ths at times with tom fills, and kick pedal hits (using ONE pedal by the way). Just blew my mind.
 
Then he told me this band was breaking up, and he was interested in working with me. He listened to my band, and was REALLY interested in working with me.
 
SO....that's where I am.
 
This guy would make my band 200% better. We're writing and just going to be starting to record new material. Rehearsing last night, and listening to my current drummer - was SUCH a let down. He has been playing 30 years, and this kid that came in is only 20. He blows my drummer away so bad, it isn't even funny.
 
What should I do?!

IMO, It sounds like the decision has already been made.  The really tough part is how to let your original drummer down easy. 
 
[Edit:  Removed band name and link to other thread.]
 
Just about time for me to buy some tunes from you too. 

do you have a contract with your current drummer?  if so, what does the contract say about "early dismissals"?
 
it's not likely you do have a contract unless you have a label, which I don't think you do.  if that's the case then it's all on the leaders' shoulders as to who stays and who goes.  I assume you're the leader...so...

A couple of things for you to consider before making a move. Is your current drummer "involved" with anyone else in the current band? Would replacing him cause any conflict with other current members? Have you "vetted" the prospective drummer? Does he have any issues common with young drummers, such as transportation, substance abuse, fluid living situation, other income source, etc ?. Will he "gel" with the other band members? What's his history with other bands?
 
I've been in almost the exact situation you are in. I played with a drummer that was decent, but not great. We formed the band at his house and rehearsed there. A nice guy too, with no issues. He called me on a Thurs. to tell me he couldn't make the next nights gig and had no idea what we could do to replace him for the night. He was going to see some family out of state. I called the keyboardist to let him know, and he said he had a drummer he had played with in the past that would do the gig. Seasoned pro and knew our set list of covers.
 
The guys shows up at the gig, and is literally throwing drum cases through the stage door on to the stage. He looks like a business man who's wife picks out his casual clothes. I'm looking at the keyboardist and thinking "oh ****". The guy sets up a basic 4 piece kit of nice Gretsch maple drums. I get introduced and do a quick read through of the set list. He just nods his head and says "I'll watch you for the endings"
 
We started the set, and within 2 songs the bass player and I can't stop smiling. The guy is just killing it. He's light years ahead of the current drummer. At the end of the first set I asked him if he would like the gig. He said yes immediately. He played with us for 4 years until the band broke up due to several members getting re-located by their employers. Still one of the best moves I ever made was hiring that guy.
 
Letting a long time band member go is always tough. What always seemed best to me was just saying "We've decided to make a change and we are going with a different player". Thanks for everything and good luck"
 
Randy

Thanks to both of you.  As far as having made a decision, kind of in my head I have, yeah, but in my heart I haven't.  I don't hate the guy for pete's sake.  'sigh'
 
Did I mention that at the last show we played, he thought it was a good idea to take a little nap during the other band's sets, right in the front of the club where we were playing?  UGH.

Sorry RSP, I was posting as you were posting. 
 
Thanks so much for that story, this is probably one of the hardest things I've gone through when it's come to this band.  Really, I have had trouble sleeping and everything.
 
 

I should add, that uncannily enough, this just seems to be something that kind of is "MEANT" to happen - not to get all HIPPY and ETHEREAL, but it is something that has been bugging me for the past YEAR. Our last show was on July 11th (the one he fell asleep at). I talked to him (via Facebook, since after rehearsal he can't leave fast enough), and explained my concerns and was trying to get to the bottom of it. I think him and his wife are having trouble on top of it all. He asked for patience. So this is adding insult to injury, making it even tougher for me. I don't like to kick a man, a friend/associate, when he's down.

Also, during that Facebook conversation, he stated to me " I feel I am still playing at a pretty high level".

I don't think his idea of a HIGH LEVEL and my idea of a HIGH LEVEL are quite in sync.

Then, just when I'm going through all of this - a band comes in with an amazing drummer who is about to become available, that also happens to really love our material.

Meant to be? I dunno, but my wheels are definitely spinning relentlessly.

In a situation like this, you have to do what's best for the "team"......even if it's a difficult thing to do. If the rest of the band is also in agreement with this move, then you have to do what you have to do...... It's not going to be easy in telling him the news, but be honest and compassion towards him when doing it.  
 
Best of luck!!

How people approach this may vary depending on the purpose of the band. If the band exists as a business venture, one might handle this differently than if the band is just playing for fun. It's one thing to play with friends for fun. It's another to be friends with fellow professionals who are playing for money.
 
Since it appears that your band falls into the "business venture" category, I'd suggest that the best approach would be a professional one. While it may be a difficult conversation, you have the right and the responsibility to make changes that will benefit the profitability of the band. It's a business, after all. If you are straightforward and make it clear that this is a business decision, his response is up to him. He may be angry or hurt by the decision, but that's his choice. If he's a professional, then he'll respond like one. If not, then you're probably better off making this cut sooner rather than later. 
 
Playing with friends is fun. You accept one another and enjoy each other's company. The emphasis is on having a good time and just hanging out. Going into business with friends is different. When friends work together, they sometimes run into situations where tough decisions have to be made for the good of the business even if that might hurt someone's feelings. When this happens, I think it helps to remind everyone involved that this is first and foremost a for-profit venture. While you may be friends, you are also co-workers (or in an employer-employee relationship). You can maintain a friendship even if you can no longer continue to work together.
 
Every professional band has to determine for themselves what they value. Fire Pete Best and hire Ringo? Tell the label you'd rather walk away from a contract than replace your good buddy? Making a sound business decision does not mean you're a cold-hearted jerk. Likewise, choosing friendship over profitability does not mean you're a sentimental fool. You have to decide what you want and what you can live with. If you decide to replace him, just be honest and professional. 

Such a dilemma...........
 
Here's what I did for ya........
 
I sent poor ole Billy a link to this page...... I think he's gotten the message.
 
You can thank me later.........