[3] In 1985, Moore moved to Nashville in hopes of opening a venue tailored to acts like The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, the Coral Reefer Band and the Eagles.

For larger music festivals, a temporary third stage would be erected in a fenced area normally used as a parking lot[citation needed].

Though within two miles (3 km) of Interstate 24, Starwood was located along Tennessee State Route 171 (Old Hickory Blvd), a two-lane road in a primarily residential and industrial neighborhood.

Aggressive security policies, such as preventing any consumption of alcohol in the parking lots before concerts, led to many concert-goers boycotting the venue through the 1990s and up to the time of its closure.

On February 13, 2007, Live Nation announced its intention to close Starwood Amphitheatre and cancel the 2007 season in anticipation of a potential sale.

[5] Entertainment industry insiders blame the closing on Starwood's age and size, calling it a "first-generation" outdoor venue that was only about two-thirds the size of the ones being built at the time of its closing and one that lacked now-standard amenities for both patrons and performers, and therefore not able to attract the top-tier artists who demand larger, more modern performance venues.

[7] Only two events were scheduled for 2007 before the announcement to close the venue: The Charlie Daniels Band's annual Volunteer Jam, and a Brad Paisley/Kellie Pickler show.

[9] Plans for the site were revealed the following November, when Vastland announced a $100 million mixed-use residential and commercial development named "Starwood Commons" that would feature 350,000 square feet (33,000 m2) of retail space and 250 multi-level townhomes.