Flight 1549 passenger lands record deal

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Emma Sophina, an aspiring singer from Australia who was a passenger on U.S. Airways Flight 1549, has landed a recording contract, Decca Label Group said.

Sophina's first single "Send Another Prayer" is available for download. Her label described the song as an inspirational tribute to hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger and his crew who got everyone onboard the Jan. 15 flight to safety after making an emergency landing on New York's frigid Hudson River when the plane's engines failed.

"They've given me the gift of life. They've let me go on to pursue my dreams. The song is about the fact that I have new life again," Sophina said in a statement.

The 26-year-old singer has also booked appearances on the "CBS Early Show," "Good Morning America," "Larry King Live," "Extra" and Fox News Channel this week, Decca said, adding that a bidding war ensued once the "Prayer" track began circulating.

After several meetings with top labels, Sophina officially signed with Decca, which is releasing the single digitally with additional tracks to be recorded in the coming weeks, the label said.