Abstract: The nonlinear planar mean square response and the random stability of a viscoelastic cable that has a small curvature and subjects to planar narrow band random excitation is studied. The Kelvin viscoelastic constitutive model is chosen to describe the viscoelastic property of the cable material. A mathematical model that describes the nonlinear planar response of a viscoelastic cable with small equilibrium curvature is presented first. And then a method of investigating the mean square response and the almost sure asymptotic stability of the response solution is presented and regions of instability are charted. Finally, the almost sure asymptotic stability condition of a viscoelastic cable with small curvature under narrow band excitation is obtained.