The Briefing: Kennedy Center v. Redd: How a Canceled Jazz Concert Became a Free Speech Fight
Published: August 21, 2026
When can a performer’s public criticism become a breach of contract? In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin Shareholders Scott Hervey and Richard D. Buckley, Jr. break down Kennedy Center v. Redd, a dispute involving musician Charles Redd, a canceled performance, a morals clause, and D.C.’s Anti-SLAPP Act.
In this episode, they cover:
- How D.C.’s Anti-SLAPP Act applied to Redd’s public statements
- Why the court dismissed the Kennedy Center’s breach of contract claims
- What the decision means for venues, studios, and producers relying on morals clauses in performer agreements
Tune in for a clear look at what happens when contractual morals clauses collide with legal protections for public speech.