Oh definitely, a normal doesn't mean 'lack of genes', there are so many different things that affect color and pattern that normals, pastels, spiders, etc. all have. The gene for a morph just happens to do a very big job and changes quite a bit.

A bright normal, or even a bright morph can help bring out the best in a bright gene. Breed the brightest offspring to other bright snakes to continue improving the line. Also breed to other bright pastels as well!