Star Moves: Kruse, Pirak & Connell
• More changes at Lotus Hot AC KPLZ (Star 101.5)/Seattle — on the heels of the departure of morning duo John Moug and Angie Morales, the company has tapped Curt Kruse and Jen Pirak to take over the morning show. Both are longtime market veterans who have been part of successful morning shows on KPLZ for many years. Cruse, who had been doing middays, will remain APD, and Pirak will continue to serve as Promotions & Marketing Director and also handle the 9am-noon shift.
It was also announced that Jeff Connell, who programs sister KTHI (107.1 K-Hits)/Boise has been appointed as Lotus Regional Program Director and will add programming responsibilities for KPLZ. He will also cover the noon-2pm shift on Star 101.5, followed by Julian on the Radio until 7pm.
“Not only are Curt & Jen well-known to our audience (and the entire Puget Sound region), but they are also close friends and colleagues who have worked side-by-side for years,” said Connell (left), who will remain based in Boise. “They bring unique perspectives and life experiences anchored with the awareness that they have been part of our community for decades. Curt and Jen’s love and passion for Star 101.5 has been evident throughout the years as they have each been part of extremely successful eras of mornings on this station.”
Connell grew up in Renton, WA and got his radio start at KUBE in 1993 before moving to KBKS in 1996. During college he did nights and other duties at KZZU/Spokane and later worked on numerous iterations of Seattle’s 96.5 (The Point, K-Rock, and Jack-FM) for CBS Radio. He was named PD of WAY-FM/Denver in 2008, moving to Nashville two years later to become National PD of the WAY-FM network. Connell relocated to Boise in 2014 as OM of Townsquare Media’s six stations and joined Lotus Boise in 2020. Connell can be contacted at jeff.connell@lotusseattle.com.
