Survival Instinct

Another asset is the input of Clay Blaker, who's become a fast friend of Sisters Morales, not to mention a key collaborator. Two songs written with Blaker's help -- "This Heart's Not Mine to Give Away This Time" and "Let Go of Your Heart" -- made it onto Ain't No Perfect Diamond. Neither would sound out of place in the sort of healthy country music environment Lisa and Roberta Morales have always envisioned, a place where sturdy songwriting, emotional authenticity and a strong sense of one's roots have supplanted the headset microphones, diamond-studded bustiers, conveyer-belt sentiments and studio-generated pop that currently define Nashville. When -- and if -- the climate changes, the members of Sisters Morales plan to be a part of the transformation.

"It's all bubble gum right now," Lisa says. "Eventually, though, there'll be a place for us."

Until then, rest assured they'll be right here waiting -- a little gun-shy, maybe, but a whole lot smarter.

Sisters Morales perform at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk. Tickets are $8. For info, call 528-5999.