Andrea Housand: A life in full circle
Flight attendant, facial liaison, frontwoman — how one Pensacola native turned a life of many chapters into a homecoming
Story by Liz Biggs / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Some people grow into their hometowns slowly, returning only when life nudges them back. Others are woven into the fabric of a place from the start — stitched in by childhood memories, cherished friendships and the undeniable pull of home. For Andrea Housand, Pensacola isn’t just where she grew up. It’s where every chapter of her life seems to find its way back, settling into a story that feels both grounded and beautifully serendipitous.
An East Hill Original
Housand grew up as the youngest and only girl in a half-Greek, half-Irish family of six kids. Her parents bought a 1915 East Hill farmhouse and spent more than a decade renovating it.
“We lived my dad’s ‘This Old House’ vision for well over a decade,” Housand laughed. “I don’t think I had a finished bedroom until I was 16.”
But the house became a character in her life: a place filled with warmth, creativity and the kind of imperfections that make a home unforgettable.
“Growing up in East Hill was different in the ’70s. It was an older generation — most of the younger families lived in the Cordova Park area,” Housand said.
She spent her days roaming the streets unsupervised until dusk, playing with neighborhood kids and sneaking off to J’s Bakery whenever she could.
“I’m an alumnus of Sacred Heart School, BT Washington High, PSC and UWF,” said Housand.
She readily admits that Sacred Heart School was her favorite, holding a special place in her heart.
Flight Attendant Era: The Wanderlust Chapter
After college, Housand took off — literally — becoming a flight attendant and bouncing between Boulder, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
“I was ready to spread my wings and leave Pensacola, but this place has a way of bringing you back,” Housand said.
When her mother passed away, Housand returned to the East Hill farmhouse for good.
“I feel their presence in this house,” she said. “My friends feel it too. They say it feels like a big hug.”
The Day Job: Guiding Transformations
Today, Housand is the practice coordinator for Derek Jones, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery, where she’s spent more than a decade helping patients navigate their surgical journeys. She wears many hats, but her favorite is being the “facial liaison” — supporting patients from consultation through recovery, both mentally and physically.
Her connection to the work is personal. Jones recently performed a facelift and pretrichial forehead-lift on her, giving her firsthand insight into the experience she guides others through. She and Jones also host a monthly show on Blab TV, sharing surgical and nonsurgical solutions for aging gracefully.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to witness people’s transformations,” she said. “I just love being on his team.”
Jones, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has been in practice for 27 years, stated the impact Andrea has on the practice is immeasurable.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Andrea for more than 11 years, and she has been an invaluable part of my practice. She is exceptionally conscientious, hardworking and genuinely cares about every patient who walks through our doors. Her compassion, attention to detail and ability to guide patients through every step of their surgical journey help create the outstanding experience we strive to provide. She is a trusted colleague, and together we’ve built a team dedicated to delivering the highest level of patient care. I am grateful to have her by my side and proud of the work we accomplish together every day,” Jones said.
The East HillBillies: A Serendipitous Side Gig
Housand started singing at age 5 along with the Carpenters on her Fisher-Price record player. She was awarded a musical theater scholarship at PSC but changed her major, thinking she couldn’t make a living at it. But her dream of singing never died.
Five years ago, Housand’s life took a musical turn. She met Pat Muesel and Ben Bell (original band members) at her boyfriend Eric Jones’ shop, Revolver Records, and before she knew it, she was the lead singer of the East HillBillies. Their first show? A Christmas performance at the public library in front of the DVD section. Punk as hell.
The band’s sound has evolved from rockabilly roots into an eclectic Gen X dreamscape — Patsy Cline, Cheap Trick, Berlin, the Cure, Pretenders, 10,000 Maniacs, the GoGo’s, the Smiths, and the Motels.
“We choose music we love,” Housand said.
The band practices weekly and plays mostly weekend gigs at Calvert’s, The Burrow, Hub Stacey’s and local breweries.
Their iconic “I ♥ East HillBillies” stickers have become a local favorite. Designed by Shelley Yates and Eric Stracener, they debuted at the band’s first Bridge Bar gig.
“We considered changing our name early on,” Housand said, “but we had a thousand stickers — so it stuck.”
The current band members include Jeff Glickman, Brent Burton and Nicki Skipper.
“I feel very lucky to collaborate with such talented musicians,” Housand said, “and I feel so expressive and free performing in front of an audience.”
Style, Stage Presence and a Whole Lot of Vintage Flair
Housand’s onstage look is unmistakably hers — polished, groovy and effortlessly cool. Her fashion sense comes from her mother, who studied dressmaking and tailoring in the 1940s under European couture mentors. Housand studied fashion history at UWF and later worked as a wardrobe coordinator for an independent film studio in Pittsburgh.
She’s a self-described “clothes hoarder,” holding onto unique vintage pieces that make her style pop.
“It makes a difference when putting a look together,” she said.
Juggling It All — with Heart
Between long workdays, TV segments, rehearsals and weekend night gigs, Housand’s life is full, but she handles it with grace.
“I take each day one at a time,” she said.
Being childfree and petfree helps with the schedule, though she jokes she’s an allornothing pet person: “It’s either zero cats and dogs or six.”
Her boyfriend, Eric Jones, is her anchor.
“He’s 64 going on 14,” she said with a smile. “He brings the fun. He keeps me young at heart. And yes, I’ve got to keep up with two Joneses — Eric and Derek,” Housand laughed, giving a glimpse of that keen sense of humor she is known for.
Friendship has always been a guiding light in Housand’s life.
“Andrea and I met in high school gym class in 1984, and what started in a class we both hated turned into a 42-year friendship,” said Shelley Yates, Housand’s bestie.
“She has always been the most fun person to be around. She’s kind, loyal, beautiful, incredibly funny and somehow can look fabulous and be out the door in five minutes, ready for anything. I’ve had the privilege of growing up listening to her sing, watching her perform and working alongside her through several chapters of our lives. Whatever she’s doing, she gives it her whole heart and always does her very best. I love her to pieces, and I couldn’t be more proud of the remarkable woman she is,” Yates added.
Full Circle
Life has a poetic way of looping back. The candy store where Housand once traded soda bottles for sweets is now Revolver Records, where she finds “ear candy” and inspiration — and where she reconnected with Eric after decades apart.
“I feel like I’ve made a full circle,” she said.
Pensacola isn’t just where she lives. It’s where her story keeps unfolding — rooted, joyful, fun and always vibing with music.
WANT TO GO?
What: East HillBillies performances
Where: Various local venues, including Calvert’s, The Burrow, Hub Stacey’s and local breweries
When: Mostly weekend performances; private parties available
Info: Follow the East HillBillies on Facebook for upcoming shows and booking information
