Entrepreneur Spotlight: Greg Smrdel – Radio Free Outer Banks 🎶🌊
A 24/7 vacation-vibe station with a global audience rooted in local spirit.
The Outer Banks isn’t just a place—it’s a soundtrack.
Through Radio Free Outer Banks, Greg Smrdel broadcasts that coastal feeling to listeners near and far, blending beach music, reggae, and Americana into a 24/7 “vacation vibe” that never fades.
Radio Free Outer Banks streams Coastal Americana, Beach Music, and Classic Rock worldwide.
Local. Independent. Unfiltered.
A home for OBX music, voices, and stories that don’t fit into a corporate box.
Radio Free Outer Banks is a community-powered radio concept built to amplify the voices, music, and stories that make the OBX what it is. Free from corporate playlists and outside influence, it’s a space for local musicians, creatives, storytellers, and small businesses to be heard — celebrating independent coastal culture, real conversations, and the people who live, work, and create here year-round.
From Cleveland to the Coast
Greg’s journey to the OBX began as a teenager on vacation.
“I fell in love with the Outer Banks since first visiting as a teenager,” he recalls. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Greg first moved to the Outer Banks in 1984, left for a stretch, and returned in 2020—drawn back by the weather, the history, the people, and the small-town charm of Manteo.
Creating His Own Station
After years away from broadcasting, Greg wanted to return to radio. But when there were no openings at existing stations, he decided to start his own.
“Radio has become so non-local,” he explains. “You can take a station in Paducah, Kentucky, drop it in Des Moines, Iowa, and no one would know the difference. At Radio Free Outer Banks, we keep it local. Even listeners tuning in from across the world want to carry a piece of the Outer Banks with them.”
That commitment led to the creation of Radio Free Outer Banks, an independent digital station streaming worldwide at RadioFreeOuterBanks.com, on Alexa, and via mobile apps.
What You’ll Hear
Radio Free Outer Banks plays the Best in Coastal Americana—a mix of trop rock, reggae, and classic beach tunes that instantly transport listeners to the shore.
Think Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Artikal Sound System, The Wheeland Brothers, The Tams, Chairmen of the Board, and even timeless favorites like The Beach Boys. It’s the sound of summer, 365 days a year (366 in Leap Years!)
Storytelling Through Music
For Greg, it’s not just about the songs—it’s about the stories behind them.
“I love telling the bios and interesting facts about the artists we play,” he says. “Songs create memories. I love nothing more than hearing from a listener that a track they hadn’t heard in years took them back to a beautiful place in their life.”
That storytelling element makes Radio Free Outer Banks more than background music—it’s an experience.
Local Roots, Global Reach
Though the station has a worldwide audience, it’s firmly anchored in the Outer Banks. Greg highlights and features local businesses on-air, helping shine a spotlight on the people who make the Outer Banks special.
“It’s the people, the environment, the small-town feel of Manteo,” Greg says. That local authenticity keeps both residents and faraway fans tuning in.
More Than Radio
Radio is just one piece of Greg’s entrepreneurial portfolio. He also owns the Manteo Walking Tour, runs Outer Banks Trivia & Music Bingo, co-owns The Laughing Gull Comedy Club, and has authored several books.
And a fun fact? He’s had the chance to work with Andy Griffith—an experience that finds its way into his storytelling.
Success & the Road Ahead
Greg’s goals are as clear as the Outer Banks horizon: Grow his listenership worldwide. Continue to be named Best Radio Station on the Beach. Spread the OBX lifestyle far beyond the shoreline.
“I want people, no matter where they’re listening from, to have that ‘Outer Banks vacation feeling’ when they tune in,” Greg says.
👉 How to Tune In to Radio Free Outer Banks
Website: www.RadioFreeOuterBanks.com Listen on: Alexa & mobile apps Experience: Coastal Americana, beach vibes, and OBX stories 24/7
Radio Free Outer Banks is more than an idea — it’s an invitation. An invitation to tune in, speak up, support local talent, and help shape something rooted in authenticity and community. Whether you’re a musician, a creative, a small business, or someone who simply loves this place, this is a platform built for you. Stay tuned, get involved, and help keep the Outer Banks independent — one voice at a time.
✨ Radio Free Outer Banks: Your “Vacation Station,” keeping the Outer Banks vibe alive all year long. Give them a Follow Facebook @Radio Free Outer Banks and Instagram @radiofreeobx