‘Pirate Radio’ Chief Will Walk the Plank

Carey Curelop will resign as program director of KQLZ-FM “Pirate Radio” next week, having been unable to boost the rock station’s ratings.

“I was frustrated with my inability to move the station ratings-wise in the area I thought it should be, and it’s no fun to work frustrated, so I asked for release from my contract,” Curelop said in a telephone interview. “Sometimes you throw your hands up and say, ‘I give!’ ”

He said that KQLZ (100.3) was attracting 2% of the audience when he came on board in February, 1991; the most recent ratings showed it with a 2.2% share.

Curelop will be replaced by Greg Stevens, who has been program director at KIOZ-FM in San Diego for the last four years. In 1990, he helped engineer a format change there that yielded the station’s highest ratings.

Stevens also will be half of Pirate Radio’s new morning team, “The Rude Boys With Greg and Steven-O,” which will debut June 8. His on-air morning partner will be Steven O. Sellers. The two have been the morning duo on KIOZ since 1987.

Curelop would not discuss his future career plans. Before his stint at KQLZ (100.3), he had spent about 18 months as program director at KLOS-FM (95.5).