 The band hit a minor stumbling block in the wake of September 11, 2001, when several venues decided they did not want to risk hosting a Middle Eastern influenced band and cancelled their bookings.In response, the Brothers of the Baladi sponsored its own benefit concert in its home town of Portland, Oregon, with all proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross and the disaster relief effort.The event, which featured music of Armenia, Turkey, Persia, Lebanon, and Egypt, was a success, and the positive response helped the band to weather the initial negative effects.