diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/genre.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/genre.rb
index 18fef77b8..f2582fe94 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/genre.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/genre.rb
@@ -12,5 +12,9 @@ module JamRuby
 
     # music sessions
     has_and_belongs_to_many :music_sessions, :class_name => "JamRuby::MusicSession", :join_table => "genres_music_sessions"
+
+    def to_s
+      description
+    end
   end
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount.rb
index cfa3424a2..97ca69431 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount.rb
@@ -76,13 +76,11 @@ module JamRuby
     end
 
     # creates a templated
-    def self.build_session_mount(music_session)
+    def self.build_session_mount(music_session, icecast_server)
 
       # only public sessions get mounts currently
       return nil unless music_session.fan_access
 
-      icecast_server = IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(music_session.creator)
-
       mount = nil
       if icecast_server && icecast_server.mount_template_id
         # we have a server with an associated mount_template; we can create a mount automatically
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
index a296fb5e5..e58ec75ff 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ module JamRuby
     has_many :recordings, :class_name => "JamRuby::Recording", :inverse_of => :music_session
     belongs_to :band, :inverse_of => :music_sessions, :class_name => "JamRuby::Band", :foreign_key => "band_id"
 
-    after_save :require_at_least_one_genre, :limit_max_genres, :sync_music_session_history
+    validate :require_at_least_one_genre, :limit_max_genres
+    after_save  :sync_music_session_history
 
     after_destroy do |obj|
       JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.removed_music_session(obj.id)
@@ -269,7 +270,7 @@ module JamRuby
 
     def require_at_least_one_genre
       unless skip_genre_validation
-        if self.genres.count < Limits::MIN_GENRES_PER_SESSION
+        if self.genres.length < Limits::MIN_GENRES_PER_SESSION
           errors.add(:genres, ValidationMessages::SESSION_GENRE_MINIMUM_NOT_MET)
         end
       end
@@ -277,7 +278,7 @@ module JamRuby
 
     def limit_max_genres
       unless skip_genre_validation
-        if self.genres.count > Limits::MAX_GENRES_PER_SESSION
+        if self.genres.length > Limits::MAX_GENRES_PER_SESSION
           errors.add(:genres, ValidationMessages::SESSION_GENRE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED)
         end
       end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
index 1bdc4676e..5677c2cf2 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ module JamRuby
       session_history.description = music_session.description unless music_session.description.nil?
       session_history.user_id = music_session.creator.id
       session_history.band_id = music_session.band.id unless music_session.band.nil?
-      session_history.genres = music_session.genres.map { |g| g.id }.join SEPARATOR
+      session_history.genres = music_session.genres.map { |g| g.id }.join SEPARATOR if music_session.genres.count > 0
       session_history.fan_access = music_session.fan_access
       session_history.save!
     end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/resque/icecast_config_writer.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/resque/icecast_config_writer.rb
index 31fc218a9..05ce40a26 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/resque/icecast_config_writer.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/resque/icecast_config_writer.rb
@@ -89,27 +89,33 @@ module JamRuby
       if File.exist?(config_file) && !icecast_server.config_changed
         @@log.info("config not changed. skipping run for server: #{icecast_server.server_id}")
       else
+        # don't try to write to the file if for some reason the model isn't valid
+        # this could happen if an admin mucks around in the db directly
+        raise "icecast_server.id=#{icecast_server.server_id} not valid. errors=#{icecast_server.errors.inspect}" unless icecast_server.valid?
+
+        # write the new config to a temporary location
+        tmp_config  = Dir::Tmpname.make_tmpname(["#{Dir.tmpdir}/icecast", '.xml'], nil)
+
+        buffer = nil
+        # allow no write to the server while dumping XML
+
         icecast_server.with_lock do
-
-          # don't try to write to the file if for some reason the model isn't valid
-          # this could happen if an admin mucks around in the db directly
-          raise "icecast_server.id=#{icecast_server.server_id} not valid. errors=#{icecast_server.errors.inspect}" unless icecast_server.valid?
-
-          # write the new config to a temporary location
-          tmp_config  = Dir::Tmpname.make_tmpname(["#{Dir.tmpdir}/icecast", '.xml'], nil)
-
-          File.open(tmp_config, 'w') do |f|
-            icecast_server.dumpXml(f)
-          end
-
-          # if written successfully, overwrite the current file
-          FileUtils.mv tmp_config, config_file
-
-          # reload server
-          reload
-
-          icecast_server.config_updated
+          buffer = StringIO.new
+          icecast_server.dumpXml(buffer)
         end
+
+        buffer.rewind
+        File.open(tmp_config, 'w') do |f|
+          f.write buffer.read
+        end
+
+        # if written successfully, overwrite the current file
+        FileUtils.mv tmp_config, config_file
+
+        # reload server
+        reload
+
+        icecast_server.config_updated
       end
 
       @@log.info("successful update of config for server: #{icecast_server.server_id}")
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_spec.rb
index bcd0955a7..990db1902 100644
--- a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_spec.rb
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_spec.rb
@@ -176,29 +176,29 @@ describe IcecastMount do
     end
 
     it "no fan access means no mount" do
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(hidden_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(hidden_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(hidden_music_session.creator))
       mount.should be_nil
     end
 
     it "with no servers" do
       IcecastServer.count.should == 0
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session.creator))
       mount.should be_nil
     end
 
     it "with a server that has a mount template" do
       server1.mount_template.should_not be_nil
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session.creator))
       mount.should_not be_nil
       mount.save!
     end
 
     it "with a server that already has an associated mount" do
       server1.mount_template.should_not be_nil
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session.creator))
       mount.save!
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session2.creator))
       mount.save!
       server1.reload
       server1.mounts.length.should == 2
@@ -207,13 +207,13 @@ describe IcecastMount do
     it "picks a second server once the 1st has been chosen" do
       server1.touch
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session.creator))
       mount.listeners = 1 # affect the weight
       mount.save!
 
       server2.touch
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session2.creator))
       mount.save!
       server1.reload
       server1.mounts.length.should == 1
@@ -224,17 +224,17 @@ describe IcecastMount do
     it "picks the 1st server again once the 2nd has higher weight" do
       server1.touch
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session.creator))
       mount.listeners = 1 # affect the weight
       mount.save!
 
       server2.touch
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session2, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session2.creator))
       mount.sourced = 1
       mount.save!
 
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session3)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(public_music_session3, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(public_music_session3.creator))
       mount.listeners = 1
       mount.save!
 
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_template_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_template_spec.rb
index 2478af012..7470219d7 100644
--- a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_template_spec.rb
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/icecast_mount_template_spec.rb
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ describe IcecastMountTemplate do
 
     before(:each) do
       server.touch
-      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(music_session)
+      mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(music_session, IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(music_session.creator))
       mount.save!
       server.save!
       server.config_updated
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_session_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_session_spec.rb
index 515dc33de..a22b94e53 100644
--- a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_session_spec.rb
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_session_spec.rb
@@ -7,6 +7,15 @@ describe MusicSession do
     IcecastServer.delete_all
     IcecastMount.delete_all
   end
+
+  describe "validations" do
+    it "genre must be set" do
+      music_session = FactoryGirl.build(:music_session)
+      music_session.genres = []
+      music_session.save.should be_false
+      music_session.errors[:genres].should == [ValidationMessages::SESSION_GENRE_MINIMUM_NOT_MET]
+    end
+  end
   it 'can grant access to valid user' do
 
     user1 = FactoryGirl.create(:user) # in the jam session
@@ -461,5 +470,14 @@ describe MusicSession do
       @music_session.get_connection_ids(exclude_client_id: @connection2.client_id, as_musician: true).should == [@connection1.client_id]
     end
   end
+
+
+  describe "autosave of music session history" do
+    it "is created on initial music session create" do
+      music_session = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session)
+      history = MusicSessionHistory.find(music_session.id)
+      history.genres.should == music_session.genres.first.id
+    end
+  end
 end
 
diff --git a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_bands.jpg b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_bands.jpg
index 309366d68..c308849bb 100644
Binary files a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_bands.jpg and b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_bands.jpg differ
diff --git a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_fans.jpg b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_fans.jpg
index 929864c5b..38c187b33 100644
Binary files a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_fans.jpg and b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_fans.jpg differ
diff --git a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_musicians.jpg b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_musicians.jpg
index 74d0fe73a..78434f243 100644
Binary files a/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_musicians.jpg and b/web/app/assets/images/web/carousel_musicians.jpg differ
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/feed_item_recording.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/feed_item_recording.js
index 05dfd3706..eee0a8dcb 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/feed_item_recording.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/feed_item_recording.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
   context.JK.FeedItemRecording = function($parentElement, options){
 
     var $feedItem       = $parentElement;
+    var $name           = $('.name', $feedItem);
     var $description    = $('.description', $feedItem);
     var $musicians      = $('.musician-detail', $feedItem);
     var $controls       = $('.recording-controls', $feedItem);
@@ -67,11 +68,15 @@
           $musicians.hide();
           $description.css('height', $description.data('original-height'));
           $description.dotdotdot();
+          $name.css('height', $name.data('original-height'));
+          $name.dotdotdot();
         });
       }
       else {
         $description.trigger('destroy.dot');
         $description.data('original-height', $description.css('height')).css('height', 'auto');
+        $name.trigger('destroy.dot');
+        $name.data('original-height', $name.css('height')).css('height', 'auto');
         $musicians.show();
         $feedItem.animate({'max-height': '1000px'});
       }
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
index 36be62054..73cceae13 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
@@ -34,12 +34,11 @@
             });
         }
 
-        function updateSession(id, newSession, onSuccess) {
+        function updateSession(id, newSession) {
             return $.ajax('/api/sessions/' + id, {
                 type: "PUT",
                 data : newSession,
-                dataType : 'json',
-                success: onSuccess
+                dataType : 'json'
             });
         }
 
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/session.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/session.js
index 10dcc7921..025136df1 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/session.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/session.js
@@ -1528,8 +1528,8 @@
             return sessionModel.getCurrentSession();
         };
 
-        this.refreshCurrentSession = function() {
-            sessionModel.refreshCurrentSession();
+        this.refreshCurrentSession = function(force) {
+            sessionModel.refreshCurrentSession(force);
         };
 
         this.setPromptLeave = function(_promptLeave) {
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionModel.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionModel.js
index 59b06530c..4a546a26a 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionModel.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionModel.js
@@ -166,6 +166,12 @@
         function refreshCurrentSession(force) {
             // XXX use backend instead: https://jamkazam.atlassian.net/browse/VRFS-854
             //logger.debug("SessionModel.refreshCurrentSession(" + currentSessionId +")");
+            if(force) {
+              logger.debug("refreshCurrentSession(force=true)")
+            }
+          else {
+
+            }
             refreshCurrentSessionRest(sessionChanged, force);
         }
 
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionSettingsDialog.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionSettingsDialog.js
index 6118bde32..5b414bd6d 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionSettingsDialog.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/sessionSettingsDialog.js
@@ -96,12 +96,12 @@
             if (typeof newSessionInfo.genres === "string") {
                 newSessionInfo.genres = [newSessionInfo.genres];
             }
-            rest.updateSession(id, newSessionInfo, settingsSaved);
+            rest.updateSession(id, newSessionInfo).done(settingsSaved);
         }
 
         function settingsSaved(response) {
             // No response returned from this call. 204.
-            sessionScreen.refreshCurrentSession();
+            sessionScreen.refreshCurrentSession(true);
             app.layout.closeDialog('session-settings');
         }
 
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/web/welcome.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/web/welcome.js
index 5c74bfa45..8ea3141a3 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/web/welcome.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/web/welcome.js
@@ -1,69 +1,87 @@
-(function(context,$) {
+(function (context, $) {
 
-    "use strict";
+  "use strict";
 
-    context.JK = context.JK || {};
+  context.JK = context.JK || {};
 
-    var welcomeRoot;
+  var welcomeRoot;
+  var rest = context.JK.Rest();
 
-    function initialize() {
+  function initialize() {
 
-        welcomeRoot = $('.landing-content .wrapper .welcome')
+    welcomeRoot = $('.landing-content .wrapper .welcome')
 
-        $('#signup').click(function(e) {
-            context.JK.app.layout.showDialog('signup-dialog');
+    $('#signup').click(function (e) {
+      context.JK.app.layout.showDialog('signup-dialog');
+      e.preventDefault();
+      return false;
+    });
+
+    $('#signin').click(function (e) {
+      if (context.JK.currentUserId) {
+        rest.getUserDetail()
+          .done(function () {
             e.preventDefault();
+            window.location = '/client';
             return false;
-        });
-
-        $('#signin').click(function(e) {
+          })
+          .fail(function () {
             context.JK.app.layout.showDialog('signin-dialog');
             e.preventDefault();
             return false;
-        });
-
-        $('.carousel').carousel({
-            hAlign:'center',
-            vAlign:'bottom',
-            vMargin:.5,
-            reflection:true,
-            reflectionColor:'0,0,0',
-            directionNav:false,
-            frontWidth:424,
-            frontHeight:263,
-            carouselWidth:750,
-            carouselHeight:440,
-            slidesPerScroll:3,
-            backOpacity:2
-        });
-
-
-      $.each($('.feed-entry'), function(index, feedEntry) {
-        var $feedEntry = $(this);
-        if($feedEntry.is('.recording-entry')) {
-          new context.JK.FeedItemRecording($feedEntry);
-        }
-        else {
-          new context.JK.FeedItemSession($feedEntry);
-        }
-      })
-
-      context.JK.TickDuration('.feed-entry.music-session-history-entry .inprogress .tick-duration');
-
-      if($.QueryString['showVideo']) {
-        // pop a video automatically
-        var slides = $('.slideItem');
-        $.each(slides, function(i, slide) {
-          slide = $(slide)
-          if(slide.attr('data-video-url') == $.QueryString['showVideo']) {
-            slide.click();
-          }
-        });
+          })
       }
+      else {
+        // don't bother checking if no context.JK.currentUserId
+        context.JK.app.layout.showDialog('signin-dialog');
+        e.preventDefault();
+        return false;
+      }
+
+    });
+
+    $('.carousel').carousel({
+      hAlign: 'center',
+      vAlign: 'bottom',
+      vMargin: .5,
+      reflection: true,
+      reflectionColor: '0,0,0',
+      directionNav: false,
+      frontWidth: 424,
+      frontHeight: 263,
+      carouselWidth: 750,
+      carouselHeight: 440,
+      slidesPerScroll: 3,
+      backOpacity: 2
+    });
+    $('.carousel').show()
+
+
+    $.each($('.feed-entry'), function (index, feedEntry) {
+      var $feedEntry = $(this);
+      if ($feedEntry.is('.recording-entry')) {
+        new context.JK.FeedItemRecording($feedEntry);
+      }
+      else {
+        new context.JK.FeedItemSession($feedEntry);
+      }
+    })
+
+    context.JK.TickDuration('.feed-entry.music-session-history-entry .inprogress .tick-duration');
+
+    if ($.QueryString['showVideo']) {
+      // pop a video automatically
+      var slides = $('.slideItem');
+      $.each(slides, function (i, slide) {
+        slide = $(slide)
+        if (slide.attr('data-video-url') == $.QueryString['showVideo']) {
+          slide.click();
+        }
+      });
     }
+  }
 
-    context.JK.WelcomePage = initialize;
-
+  context.JK.WelcomePage = initialize;
 
 
 })(window, jQuery);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/audioWidgets.css.scss b/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/audioWidgets.css.scss
index 167cacd5e..3c4ea267c 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/audioWidgets.css.scss
+++ b/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/audioWidgets.css.scss
@@ -209,9 +209,13 @@
 
   .name {
     font-weight:bold;
+    min-height:16px;
     font-size:14px;
+    line-height:14px;
+    height:16px;
     overflow:hidden;
-    whitespace:nowrap;
+    text-overflow:ellipsis;
+    white-space:normal;
   }
 
   .description {
diff --git a/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/welcome.css.scss b/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/welcome.css.scss
index 854fe5c09..9f18a0e5c 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/welcome.css.scss
+++ b/web/app/assets/stylesheets/web/welcome.css.scss
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ Version: 1.1
 
   .carousel
   {
+    display:none;
     position :relative ;
     margin :30px auto 0;
     width :auto;
diff --git a/web/app/controllers/users_controller.rb b/web/app/controllers/users_controller.rb
index 0c3afbac2..7d786ebd4 100644
--- a/web/app/controllers/users_controller.rb
+++ b/web/app/controllers/users_controller.rb
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ require 'builder'
 class Slide
   attr_accessor :img_url, :header, :vid_url
 
-  def initialize(type, img_url, vid_url)
+  def initialize(header, img_url, vid_url)
     @img_url = img_url # preview image
-    @header = "jamkazam for #{type}" #
+    @header = header
     @vid_url = vid_url + '?autoplay=1'
   end
 end
@@ -198,12 +198,12 @@ class UsersController < ApplicationController
   def welcome
 
     @slides = [
-        Slide.new("musicians", "web/carousel_musicians.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
-        Slide.new("fans", "web/carousel_fans.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
-        Slide.new("bands", "web/carousel_bands.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
-        Slide.new("musicians", "web/carousel_musicians.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
-        Slide.new("fans", "web/carousel_fans.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
-        Slide.new("bands", "web/carousel_bands.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s")
+        Slide.new("JamKazam Overview", "web/carousel_musicians.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
+        Slide.new("Getting Started", "web/carousel_fans.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
+        Slide.new("Playing in a Session", "web/carousel_bands.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
+        Slide.new("JamKazam Overview", "web/carousel_musicians.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
+        Slide.new("Getting Started", "web/carousel_fans.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s"),
+        Slide.new("Playing in a Session", "web/carousel_bands.jpg", "http://www.youtube.com/embed/eaYNM7p6Z5s")
     ]
 
     @promo_buzz = PromoBuzz.active
diff --git a/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb b/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
index 7de689c0a..3f6ea7cd8 100644
--- a/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
+++ b/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
@@ -12,64 +12,76 @@ MusicSessionManager < BaseManager
   def create(user, client_id, description, musician_access, approval_required, fan_chat, fan_access, band, genres, tracks, legal_terms)
     return_value = nil
 
-    ActiveRecord::Base.transaction do
-      # check if we are connected to rabbitmq
-      music_session = MusicSession.new
-      music_session.id = SecureRandom.uuid
-      music_session.creator = user
-      music_session.description = description
-      music_session.musician_access = musician_access
-      music_session.approval_required = approval_required
-      music_session.fan_chat = fan_chat
-      music_session.fan_access = fan_access
-      music_session.band = band
-      music_session.legal_terms = legal_terms
+    time = Benchmark.realtime do
+      ActiveRecord::Base.transaction do
 
-      unless genres.nil?
-        genres.each do |genre_id|
-          loaded_genre = Genre.find(genre_id)
-          music_session.genres << loaded_genre
-        end
-      end
+        # we need to lock the icecast server in this transaction for writing, to make sure thath IcecastConfigWriter
+        # doesn't dumpXML as we are changing the server's configuraion
+        icecast_server = IcecastServer.find_best_server_for_user(user) if fan_access
+        icecast_server.lock! if icecast_server
 
-      if fan_access
-        # create an icecast mount since regular users can listen in to the broadcast
-        music_session.mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(music_session)
-      end
+        # check if we are connected to rabbitmq
+        music_session = MusicSession.new
+        music_session.id = SecureRandom.uuid
+        music_session.creator = user
+        music_session.description = description
+        music_session.musician_access = musician_access
+        music_session.approval_required = approval_required
+        music_session.fan_chat = fan_chat
+        music_session.fan_access = fan_access
+        music_session.band = band
+        music_session.legal_terms = legal_terms
 
-      music_session.save
-
-      unless music_session.errors.any?
-        # save session parameters for next session
-        User.save_session_settings(user, music_session)
-
-        # auto-join this user into the newly created session
-        as_musician = true
-        connection = ConnectionManager.new.join_music_session(user, client_id, music_session, as_musician, tracks)
-
-        unless connection.errors.any?
-          user.update_progression_field(:first_music_session_at)
-          MusicSessionUserHistory.save(music_session.id, user.id, client_id, tracks)
-
-
-          unless band.nil?
-            Notification.send_band_session_join(music_session, band)
+        unless genres.nil?
+          genres.each do |genre_id|
+            loaded_genre = Genre.find(genre_id)
+            music_session.genres << loaded_genre
+          end
+        end
+
+        if fan_access
+          # create an icecast mount since regular users can listen in to the broadcast
+          music_session.mount = IcecastMount.build_session_mount(music_session, icecast_server)
+        end
+
+        music_session.save
+
+        unless music_session.errors.any?
+          # save session parameters for next session
+          User.save_session_settings(user, music_session)
+
+          # auto-join this user into the newly created session
+          as_musician = true
+          connection = ConnectionManager.new.join_music_session(user, client_id, music_session, as_musician, tracks)
+
+          unless connection.errors.any?
+            user.update_progression_field(:first_music_session_at)
+            MusicSessionUserHistory.save(music_session.id, user.id, client_id, tracks)
+
+
+            unless band.nil?
+              Notification.send_band_session_join(music_session, band)
+            end
+
+            return_value = music_session
+          else
+            return_value = connection
+            # rollback the transaction to make sure nothing is disturbed in the database
+            raise ActiveRecord::Rollback
           end
-          
-          return_value = music_session
         else
-          return_value = connection
+          return_value = music_session
           # rollback the transaction to make sure nothing is disturbed in the database
           raise ActiveRecord::Rollback
         end
-      else
-        return_value = music_session
-        # rollback the transaction to make sure nothing is disturbed in the database
-        raise ActiveRecord::Rollback
       end
     end
 
-    return return_value
+    if time > 2
+      @log.warn "creating a music session took #{time*1000} milliseconds"
+    end
+
+    return_value
   end
 
   # Update the session. If a field is left out (meaning, it's set to nil), it's not updated.